Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands Peter Shanel Agovaka on the sidelines of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen City of east China's Fujian Province, reaffirming their two countries' commitment to building a community with a shared future.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted the positive outcomes of the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries over five years ago, including deepening of political mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation, and consistent coordination in international and regional affairs.
Wang praised the Solomon Islands as "a nation of principle, credibility and integrity," expressing China's willingness to jointly uphold multilateralism and basic norms of international relations. He expressed appreciation over the Solomon Islands' firm adherence to the one-China principle and pledged China's strengthened support for the island nation's socioeconomic development through enhanced trade, cultural exchanges and business investment.
China will support the Solomon Islands in hosting the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting this year, Wang added, urging efforts from both sides to seize opportunities for elevating bilateral relations.
Agovaka acknowledged the remarkable growth in bilateral ties, expressing heartfelt gratitude for China's valuable development assistance. The Solomon Islands stands firmly with China in opposing unilateralism and protectionism practiced by the United States, he said.
Reaffirming the Solomon Islands' unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, Agovaka said this position "places us on the right side of history." He explicitly expressed opposition to Taiwan secession and separatism and voiced strong support for the Chinese government's efforts toward national reunification.
The foreign minister said his country looks forward to strengthening practical cooperation with China in education, policing, healthcare and cultural preservation, in advancing bilateral collaboration toward a shared future.
Chinese foreign minister meets counterpart of Solomon Islands on relations
Yemen's temporary capital Aden is showing resilience and stability in economy, with market operations and public services running smoothly despite a recent escalation in the region's volatile military and political situation.
Currently, various essential supplies, including grain, oil, food and everyday items, are consistently available on the markets.
Public services such as water, electricity and communications are also functioning normally, and shops in multiple commercial districts remain open.
"We went out to buy household items today. The prices were the same. There was no rise in prices," said Mohamed Naguib, a resident.
The current market stability is attributed to the efficient functioning of the transportation and logistics systems, as well as the government's ongoing efforts to enhance market oversight and regulate prices, which have helped reduce market volatility, according to analysts.
"Although there are some rumors about rising tensions, the overall situation in Aden remains stable. The industry and commerce department has continued to monitor the market and rigorously control prices to prevent increases in commodity and food costs," said Amjad Al-Husseini, director of the Aden Governor's Office.
The city's monetary circulation system has also largely maintained balance, with the exchange rate of the local currency against major foreign currencies remaining relatively stable.
Aden has long been a flashpoint in the country's civil war, which erupted in 2014 when Houthi forces seized much of the north, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention in the following year. Tensions in the south have persisted despite repeated power-sharing deals.
The tensions further escalated last month after the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized large swathes of Yemen's oil-rich Hadramout province and the eastern province of Al-Mahrah. Riyadh considers these areas as a "red line" due to their proximity to the Saudi border and their concentration of Yemen's remaining energy reserves.
Last week, airstrikes and ground operations by the Saudi-led coalition forced the STC forces to withdraw from the two provinces.
Formed in 2017, the STC seeks autonomy and eventual independence for southern Yemen. Although it joined the Saudi-led coalition and became part of the Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the group's push for southern self-rule has continued to fuel disputes over power-sharing and control of territory and resources.
Economy, market remain stable in Yemen's Aden despite escalating violence
