China’s PRC and Solomon Islands Partner to Deliver a $1.5 million Fishery Project to East Kwaio Constituency, Benefiting Local Communities.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), on 27 February 2026, delivered a fishery project worth $1.5 million in boats and engines to East Kwaio Constituency (EKC).
This generous support was made possible through the PRC-funded Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), being implemented by MRD.
The project supplies include 21 boats and 24 outboard motor engines (OBMs), which aimed at improving livelihoods of rural communities and families. It also contributes to the easing of transportation challenges in remote maritime communities.
This significant support is part of the PRC’s ongoing commitment through RSDP to sustainable development and empowering communities through strategic assistance projects that drive long-term improvements and self-sufficiency across the rural Solomon Islands.
The boats & OMBs were received by the Constituency Development Officer (CDO), John Butaifai, on behalf of the Member of Parliament for EKC, Stanley Festus Sofu and beneficiaries, from the Chinese Embassy representative in Solomon Islands, Counsellor Li Qinghua.
Speaking on behalf of Stanley Sofu at the handing over ceremony, CDO John Butaifai expressed deep gratitude to the PRC government and its people for the generous support through the RSDP and the SIG through MRD for the facilitation.
“On behalf of the Member of Parliament for East Kwaio Constituency, I convey our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands Government, especially the Ministry of Rural Development for this generous funding assistance of SBD1.5 million towards this project.
“This support demonstrates the firm bilateral relationship between the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands government and it reflects a shared commitment to improving rural livelihoods, strengthening food security and supporting economic empowerment at the grassroots level,” CDO Butaifai said.
He further said that,“for the people of East Kwaio Constituency, fishing is not only a source of income but a way of life. The provisions of these boats and engines will greatly enhance the capacity of our local fishermen, improve safety at sea, increase productivity, and create sustainable income opportunities for families and communities. The MP acknowledges with gratitude the Solomon Islands Government for facilitating this important project and ensures that development assistance reaches our rural people,” he emphasized.
CDO Butaifai also recognized the PRC’s continued support to rural development and the mutual friendship with the Solomon Islands.
“As beneficiaries, we are committed to using these resources responsibly, maintaining them well and ensuring that the benefits are shared fairly and sustainably with our communities,” Mr Butaifai added while reiterating deep appreciation to PRC and MRD for the valuable contribution to EKC development.
Counsellor Li Qinghua of the Chinese Embassy, in her remarks, congratulated EKC and beneficiaries on receiving the project and highlighted China’s firm commitment to supporting Solomon Islands’ socio-economic development through “small yet smart” projects like RSDP.
Ms. Li reiterated that the handover is another testament to the practical cooperation between the PRC and Solomon Islands, further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
Counsellor Li stated that, as a partnership between the PRC and Solomon Islands, the core purpose of RSDP is to improve social and economic development in the country.
She also emphasized China’s commitment to offering capacity-building and training opportunities for the Solomon Islands, focusing on knowledge transfer to support the country’s development and prosperity.
Ms. Li also highlighted China’s remarkable accomplishment in lifting 800 million people out of poverty and expressed wishes to share China’s experience in poverty alleviation with the Solomon Islands, and working together with the government, people, and communities to improve livelihoods and to turn poverty alleviation into reality.
“I firmly believe that with support from the government and the people of the Solomon Islands, we can turn poverty alleviation into reality.”
She further emphasized that RSDP is not just a development project but a partnership rooted in empowerment, aiming to enable rural communities to become self-reliant.
She also highlighted the importance of partnership and working together to achieve greater outcomes.
“Projects under RSDP are proposal-based and will be implemented and monitored strictly in partnership with agreement guidelines. This is to maximize benefits for the people of each constituency. It is our shared responsibility to ensure projects are implemented properly to deliver tangible and actionable results for rural communities,” Ms Li concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the government, John Misite’e, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), acknowledged PRC for its unwavering commitment and support toward the RSDP and the improvement of the lives of the people of the Solomon Islands.
PS Misite’e also acknowledged the trust PRC has placed in MRD to effectively implement the partnership program.
“This delivery is an achievement resulting from the national government’s partnership with PRC, facilitated by the provision of resources through the RSDP program to support the rural development policies of the Solomon Islands Government.
“Therefore, on behalf of the Government I would like to acknowledge PRC for the ongoing support toward RSDP and the government. This program is a testament of the friendship between the two Governments,” PS Misite’e.
Mr. Misite’e also extends appreciation to the Member of Parliament, Sofu, for his firm leadership and continued support of the government’s rural development policies in his constituency.
The RSDP is a partnership program between the PRC and the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Rural Development. Since 2023, China has actively supported RSDP, which is proposal-based and implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in partnership with the Chinese Embassy.
The program aligns with China’s broader Global Development Initiative, including the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035.
The RSDP primarily targets rural and semi-urban communities, aiming to improve social and economic infrastructure, promote income-generating activities, and address issues such as food security and climate resilience.
SOURCE: MRD Media
