China-aided training track for Solomon Islands delivered

A training track that is part of the China-aided stadium project for the 2023 Pacific Games was handed over to the Solomon Islands on April 22.

Chinese Ambassador Li Ming and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attended the handover ceremony. 

Sogavare said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Solomon Islands and China in 2019, the two sides have deepened their relations with mutual trust and respect. He added that facts have proved that the Solomon Islands is on the right side of history with the decision of its government to establish diplomatic relations with China.

The handover ceremony of the training track is another important milestone for the government of the Solomon Islands to accelerate its preparations for hosting the 2023 Pacific Games, Sogavare said.

He thanked the Chinese government and people for supporting the Solomon Islands in hosting the event, as well as providing valuable assistance in COVID-19 prevention and control. He said he hopes the athletes will make full use of the track and other facilities to improve their athletic performance and be ready to compete.

Li said that with joint efforts of China and the Solomon Islands, the China-aided training track project was successfully completed and handed over to the government and people of the Solomon Islands. 

This is the first modern track with international standards in the Solomon Islands, Li said, adding that it will play an important role for athletes to carry out daily training and participate in various competitions, as well as help the government and people of the Solomon Islands to successfully hold the 2023 Pacific Games.

After the ceremony, Sogavare visited the training track and learned more about its construction. The Solomon Islands' organizing committee of the 2023 Pacific Games invited athletes' representatives to do a 100-meter test run on the track. Local artists made traditional paintings on the outer wall of the training track to show the athletes' competitive style.