Premier Li on Oct 9 held a meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Sogavare, who is on an official visit to China, will also attend the closing ceremony of the 2019 International Horticultural Exhibition.

Premier Li said the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands opened a new chapter in their relationship.

Considering the fundamental interests of both sides, the relationship will help promote common development, maintain regional and national stability and achieve prosperity, Premier Li said.

China stands for equality among all nations, and will support the Solomon Islands in developing its economy and improving people's livelihoods, the Premier said.

He said that China praises the Solomon Islands for adhering to the one-China policy, and is willing to work with the country to enhance strategic communication and political mutual trust, push forward bilateral ties, increase exchanges and bring benefits to people from both countries.

Premier Li said China is the largest trade partner and export market for Solomon Islands, and the two countries have broad prospects in the fishery, forestry and mining industries.

China is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with the Solomon Islands’ development strategies, with further efforts to negotiate measures on facilitating trade and increase collaboration in the financial sector, agriculture and education, said the Premier.

The Premier said that China is willing to expand imports of Solomon Islands’ products and encourage more Chinese companies to participate in infrastructure construction in the country, said the Premier.

He further said that China will increase people-to-people exchanges and regional collaboration with Solomon Islands and that he has approved Solomon Islands as an overseas destination for Chinese tour groups.

China will support Solomon Islands to host the 2023 Pacific Games and will strengthen South-South collaboration, said the Premier.

He said that China will enhance communications with Solomon Islands, and that the country is welcomed to join the third China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum.

Sogavare congratulated China on the country’s 70th anniversary, saying that China has made great achievements in development and become the second-largest economy in the world, which is impressive.

He added that Solomon Islands is glad to make the one-China commitment and establish diplomatic relations with China, which conforms with international law and the decision made by the UN General Assembly.

Both Solomon Islands and China belong to the Asia-Pacific region and are developing countries, Sogavare said.

Solomon Islands, he said, based on mutually beneficial results and mutual respect, is willing to participate in the joint building of the Belt and Road, promote bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, education and culture and advance South-South collaboration.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements in diplomacy, the economy, technology and education.

Before the meeting, Premier Li held a ceremony to welcome Sogavare at the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister, He Lifeng, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Gu Shengzu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also attended the activities.