China and Solomon Islands Sign Visa Exemption Agreement for ordinary passport holders
By Alex Dadamu
Citizens holding valid ordinary passports of the People Republic of China (PRC) and Solomon Islands will now be exempted from visa requirements.
This is after the signing of the Visa Exemption Agreement for ordinary passport holders of Solomon Islands and PRC yesterday in Honiara.
The signing was done by the PRC Ambassador to Solomon Islands and the Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka and was witnessed by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
According to the articles of the agreement, citizens of both countries holding valid ordinary passports shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry or transit of either country, for a single stay not exceeding 30 days and for a cumulative period of stay not exceeding 90 days in any 180 day period.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Manele said witnessing the signing event is progress which will allow ordinary Solomon Islands citizens to travel freely and learn each others’ cultures.
“This promotes greater understanding and respect is critical to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”
Manele conveyed the national governments appreciation to the PRC Government for their swift response in initiating the Reciprocal Visa Exemption Agreement.
Meanwhile, His Excellency, Cai Weiming says he is proud to be part of the signing event for the Visa Exemption Agreement.
“China advocates for building a community with shared future for mankind.”
“We will continue to work with Solomon Islands within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative and the 3 Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jingping, to further advance our cooperation, help each other on our paths toward modernization and bring more benefits to our two peoples,” he said.
In 2022, a similar agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Solomon Islands was enforced allowing citizens of the People’s Republic of China holding valid diplomatic, and service passports and passports for public affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and citizens of Solomon Islands holding valid diplomatic and official passports of Solomon Islands, to be exempted from visa requirements to enter into, transit through, stay in or leave the territory of the other Contracting Party, for a period of not exceeding thirty (30) days from the date of their entry.
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