Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his delegation have arrived in Beijing and will meet President Xi Jingping today.

It is understood that the visit by the Prime Minister and his delegation is for the signing of Memorandum Of Understandings (MOU’s) in the areas of Education, Economic and Trade, Foreign Affairs, Belt and Road Initiative and diplomatic relations.

This is to establish an overarching bilateral cooperation framework and launch the new diplomatic relationship between the People’s Republic of China, PRC, and Solomon Islands.

The Prime Minister's thirty member delegation consists of politicians, senior public servants, advisors and members of the business community.  

Opposition Leader Mathew Wale raised concern that indigenous business people were not part of the delegation. He says that this is a cause for concern given that Chinese businesses are given preference over local businesses.

He says that indigenous business people should not be overlooked when it comes to exploring business partnerships with potential investors.