Papua New Guinea’s commitment of K50 million (US$14.2 million) towards assisting with the 2023 Pacific Games infrastructure has not been honoured according to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Office.
Despite not having the assistance honoured, China continues to have its presence in the country (Solomon Islands) with a bankroll of K250 million (US$71 million) grant to construct the main stadium to host the Games given Honiara struggled to fund the project in 2021.
Developments taking place in Honiara includes upgrade of the athletics and football pitch which is under a Stadium Project for the 2023 Pacific Games, constructed with Chinese aid.
This has been completed and formally handed over to the Solomon Islands last year.
It was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the general contractor for the 2023 Pacific Games Stadium Project.
As updated, the 2023 Pacific Games Stadium Project is aided by China in the form of grants at the request of Solomon Islands after the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
It is symbolised as a gift from Chinese government and people to Solomon Islands government and people without any political strings attached.
Since the start of the project on 1 May 2021, the general contractor has overcome the Covid-19 situation both in China and globally and worked day and night to build the project, making every effort to assist Solomon Islands and its people to realise the dream of hosting the 2023 Pacific Games.
The Stadium Project has laid a solid foundation for the Solomon Islands to host the 2023 Pacific Games and facilitate the country’s economic development and infrastructure.
“It is an outcome of the positive development of bilateral ties and stands as an example of bilateral cooperation as well as a symbol of China-Solomon Islands friendship,” said the ambassador.
