by Eddie Trevor Osifelo
Board Member of Media Association of Solomon Islands, Sub-Editor and Political Reporter of Solomon Star Newspaper Ltd, Solomon Islands
My first glimpse into China came during a trip with the Solomon Islands’ delegation to attend the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010. This initial visit, although brief and largely confined to the Expo village, piqued my interest in the country. However, it was a subsequent trip in December 2019 that truly expanded my understanding of China.
From December 5th to 14th, 2019, I was part of a group of 12 Solomon Islands journalists representing mainstream media, the private sector, and the Government Communication Unit, who visited the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for a “cultural exchange” trip. This visit was organized by the PRC’s embassy in Papua New Guinea (PNG) following a meeting with local media in November. The trip fell under the Cultural Exchange component of the Education Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the governments of Solomon Islands and PRC.
Led by former Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Mane, our team visited Beijing, Guangzhou, Jiangmen in Guangdong, Sanya, and Shanghai. This trip was historic, marking a significant step in the newly established SINO-SI relations.
During our visit, I learned about China’s rich history, stretching back 5,000 years to the Pre-Qin Period (2100-221 BC), Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and Tang Dynasty (618-907). We explored various aspects of Chinese culture, tourism, infrastructure development, traditional medicine, and modern architecture, including landmarks such as the Canton Tower in Guangzhou and the Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
China’s socialist system, which has been instrumental in lifting many of its 1.3 billion people out of poverty, was another focal point of our learning. According to Chinese standards, 70 million people still live in poverty, whereas the World Bank estimates this number to be around 700 million. The Communist Party of China, led by Xi Jinping, has committed to realizing the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Through the Four-pronged Strategy, China has achieved significant progress in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization.
The trip in 2019 was eye-opening, especially when compared to my 2010 visit. Developments in major cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai have reached new heights with impressive infrastructure projects. For instance, the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai features a revolving restaurant, and the Yangshan Deep Water Port, connected by the 32-kilometer Donghai Bridge, is a marvel of modern engineering.
One of the most impactful experiences was visiting the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Sanya, where we learned about the integration of traditional practices with modern medicine. We also visited a botanical garden in Sanya, which not only preserves a wide variety of plants but also utilizes them for medicinal and commercial purposes.
The trip underscored a shared goal between China and the Solomon Islands: lifting people out of poverty. China’s socialist policies have proven effective in this regard, making it the second-largest economy in the world, behind the United States.
We also visited the site of the First National Congress of PRC in Shanghai, where we saw tributes to China’s founding fathers, including Mao Zedong, whose image is prominently displayed at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing.
In conclusion, while China has made great strides in its journey towards economic development and poverty alleviation under its socialist system, the Solomon Islands face unique challenges. With only 15% of the land owned by the government and the rest controlled by tribes, development efforts depend heavily on the cooperation and leadership of the people. Nonetheless, both nations strive to improve the lives of their citizens, each in their own way.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.