The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Solomon Islands has opened its consular section to assist in visa processing and other consular services here in Honiara.
The official launch of the consular section was officiated by the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Charge de Affairs of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands, Ding Yonghua and the supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Bunyan Sivoro.
The consular section will feature visa services, a service once accessed through the PRC Embassy in Port Moresby or the Chinese Consulate Office in Brisbane. The consular section is also expected to provide other services to Chinese companies and nationals living in the Solomon Islands.
Supervising Permanent Secretary, Mr Sivoro said the opening of the Consular section at the Honiara Embassy is significant as it puts a human face to Solomon Islands bilateral relations with the PRC.
He said an increasing number of Solomon Islanders are traveling to China to study in various Universities, undergo trainings or even engage in trade and business activities.
“People will need visa and with the opening of the Consular section at the Embassy, this will relieve the stress, pressure and the costs of obtaining a VISA which is welcome news for us all.
He thanked and acknowledge the government of PRC and the Embassy for providing Consular services here in the Solomon Islands.
Charge de Affairs of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands, Ding Yonghua the opening of the consular section will help facilitate people to people exchange between our two countries.
He said with this new establishment, all authorized sub-branches under the Chinese Embassy is established, elevating the embassy to a more comprehensive, efficient and professional ground in its communication and cooperation with the Solomon Islands government.
Mr, Yonghua said the first group of people to benefit from the visa services provided were 30 Solomon Islands students who travelled to China to study under the Chinese Government Scholarship.
He further stressed that the opening of the consular section is historical as it signifies that the Chinese Embassy in Honiara is now in full function.