The year of 2021 is special to Solomon Islands people. While countries in the world are fighting together against COVID-19 pandemic, riots and looting overtook Honiara and razed Chinatown to the ground, as well as other business districts.
When we enjoyed family reunions and friends gatherings during Christmas a few days ago, let us also extend sincere sympathies to those people affected by the riot.
At this difficult time, China firmly stands with Solomon Islands. We condemn all forms of violence, and will provide all necessary support to Solomon Islands to restore law and order and rebuild damaged businesses.
As the largest developing country in the world, China has offered aid support to Pacific Island Countries including Solomon Islands in a wide range of areas under the framework of South-South cooperation for decades.
China helped build more than 100 infrastructure projects, including international conference centers, ports, roads, schools and hospitals.
Among these are the Airport Expressway and six-lane Independence Boulevard in Papua New Guinea, Sports Stadium in Vanuatu, Agriculture Technology Centre in Samoa, and Juncao (a kind of mushroom) technology in Fiji.
China sponsored over 1300 young students, 4000 vocational and technical training opportunities to Pacific Islands Countries.
China aid programs are well received by governments and peoples of Pacific Island Countries.
China’s foreign aid policy has five guiding principles.
Firstly, China aid is based on equality and respect. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This is a maxim by Confucius, a world famous philosopher of ancient China.
In the past 100 years, China has suffered from poverty, wars, and disunity, bullied by western powers. Those are the reasons why China values peace, sovereignty and independence. When it comes to aid, China respects the need of recipient governments and people.
All China-aid projects in Solomon Islands are implemented upon full consultations with the government of Solomon Islands.
Secondly, China aid is based on non-interference. Foreign aid is not a political tool. No country should use aid to interfere with domestic affairs of others.
In Solomon Islands, China respects sovereignty of the national government when cooperating with provinces on aid projects.
China never exports its values, never boasts itself as “lighthouse of democracy”, never hand out “blank cheques”. We do not make irresponsible comments and dishonor recipient countries.
And we are in a position to be friends with everyone, the enemy of no one. All parties, provinces and origins in the Solomon Islands can be our friends. China’s assistance to rural villages has benefited all constituencies in nine provinces, adding Guadalcanal, Malaita, Occidental, Isabel, Choiseul, Temuto, Renbell, Central and Makira.
That also covers ruling parties, opposition parties and independent MPs.
Thirdly, China aid produces tangible outcomes. Aid is not a game of rhetoric. In the past two years since diplomatic relations established between China and Solomon Islands, people have seen and felt real benefits of China’s development projects.
The amenities of the PG2023 stadium are increasing. SINU’s dormitory allocation is progressing. ArraySinoPharm vaccines are obtained through the local population.
Many of SI’s friends are deeply inspired by their progress as they walk past the site of the Stadium’s structure.
Local staff are pleased to be informed about new techniques and skills of Chinese colleagues. China’s aid goes to projects, some consultants.
Fourth, China’s aid is sustainable. China adheres to the win-win principle. All of China’s aid projects are in an independent assessment and feasibility studies, adding environmental coverage and monetary viability.
The “Chinese debt trap” is the disinformation spread through some Western countries. According to a study by Sri Lanka’s Institute of National Security Studies, 10% of Sri Lanka’s notable debts come from China, while loans from Japan, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Amount at 12%, 14% and 11% respectively.
As an old Chinese saying goes, “It’s more to show other people how to fish than just give them fish. “China’s aid is aimed at the independent and sustainable progression of recipient countries.
Fifth, China’s aid is open and inclusive. China’s aid projects serve the other people of the Solomon Islands and never target any third parties. Instead, China is willing to interact with other countries for trilateral cooperation.
As President Xi Jinping said, “China will never make geopolitical calculations or interact in closed and exclusive circles. “Aid projects to China are open to the public. There is no hidden calendar or geopolitical motive. It is time for other people to let go of the Cold War mentality and bring the whole new air of the twenty-first century.
China is an old friend and true spouse of the Solomon Islands. Diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands serve the basic and long-term interests of the other people of the Solomon Islands, and have a time limit.
China will resolutely adopt aid projects and cooperation programmes in Solomon Islands. The most productive way for Pacific island countries is to achieve tangible effects for people, not to build castles in the air, let alone point the finger at other partners in progression. We all live in a network with a shared future.