[January 19, 2023, Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara]
Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Madam Sogavare,Hon. Speaker of the National Parliament Patteson Oti,Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga,Hon. Opposition Leader Matthew Wale,Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele,Hon. Ministers of the Crown,Hon. Members of Parliament,Senior Government officials,Distinguished guests,Members of the Chinese communities, Chinese companies,Representatives of business associations,Church leaders,Media friends,Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening to you all!
Today is a happy and auspicious day. In three days’ time, we will celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of Rabbit, also called Spring Festival. This is the most important traditional holiday in China, where people will reunite with family and friends, reflect on the past, and look forward to the future.
Many countries in the world also celebrate Spring Festival every year. But today our celebration has some special meanings. It is the first time for the Chinese Embassy together with Chinese community to host Chinese New Year celebration in Solomon Islands, and especially the first time since COVID-19 pandemic in the last three years.
On this festive occasion, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands, the best wishes of Chinese Lunar New Year to all of you. Wish all distinguished guests and friends good luck, peace, health, happiness, prosperity and bright future in the Year of Rabbit!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When we look back at the year of 2022, I believe it is unique for everyone. In China, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully convened, General Secretary Xi Jinping was unanimously re-elected and China’s development plan for the next 15 years was outlined. China’s economy maintains a momentum of stable growth. The latest figure shows that China’s GDP in 2022 has increased 3% and surpassed 17.9 trillion US dollars. A few weeks ago, China optimized COVID-19 prevention & control policy, and opens its border gradually. China’s economy is likely to see a robust rebound in 2023 and estimated to grow by 5%. This will certainly provide more opportunities to the world. For example, many countries in Asia and Europe like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, France warmly welcome Chinese tourists.
When we get together here to celebrate, we are happy to see the relations between China and Solomon Islands has been growing from strength to strength. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare have kept frequent exchanges by correspondence in the last year. Chinese State Councilor & Foreign Minister Wang Yi successfully visited Solomon Islands, and further enhanced mutual trust and practical cooperation.
The Stadium and SINU dormitory projects to help SI to host the 2023 Pacific Games progress well, and will be completed on schedule this year. China and Solomon Islands signed bilateral security agreement, and the Chinese Police Liaison Team provided training, helped receiving vehicles and equipment donated by China to SI. The first China Medical Team brought with professional medical skills and Chinese traditional acupuncture, and are warmly welcomed by people of Solomon Islands. Action speaks louder than words. Only three years since China and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations, both countries have made up for the “deficit” of the past decades.
I am proud to say our bilateral relations has become a role model of relations between China and Pacific island countries.
When we look to the future, we should have full confidence. In 2023, China will embark on a new journey to build a modern socialist country, and Solomon Islands will be proud to host the most important regional sports event of 2023 Pacific Games. The most outstanding feature of China-SI relationship is based on equality, respect and tangible outcomes. In the new year, we should spare no efforts to elevate our relations to a new high, and bring more benefit to our peoples. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I look forward to more people-to-people, province to province, party to party, university to university exchanges, more direct trade and investment, more tourists from China to SI, more SI students apply for Chinese government scholarship, and more visits between the two countries to deepen mutual understanding.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China-Solomon Islands relations has always received rock solid strong support of the Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, as well as Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament, Government officials, and all friends of Solomon Islands. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you all once again.
In Chinese traditional culture, rabbit is the symbol of wisdom, courage, agility and vitality. In the coming New Year, we should run quickly forward like rabbits, overcome all risks and challenges, and create a better future!
I would also like to extend sincere Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese communities and Chinese companies in Solomon Islands. Thank you for the long-standing contribution to the relations between China and Solomon Islands.
The Chinese Embassy will continue to provide best consular services to all of you. And I also want to thank Master of Ceremony, Chung Wah school faculty and students for the wonderful lion dancing. Thank you, my colleagues and staff, for the hard work to organize the dinner tonight.
Please allow me to propose a toast, wish all of you distinguished guests, good luck in the Year of the Rabbit and please enjoy a wonderful evening.