The Solomon Islands has awarded a Chinese language state firm a multimillion-dollar contract to improve a global port in Honiara in a venture funded by the Asian Growth Financial institution, an official from the island nation says.
The China Civil Engineering Development Firm was the one firm to submit a bid within the aggressive tender, Mike Qaqara, from the Ministry of Infrastructure Growth, instructed Reuters.
The ADB didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
“This will likely be upgrading the previous worldwide port in Honiara and two home wharves within the provinces,” Qaqara mentioned on Wednesday.
The Solomon Islands struck a safety pact with Beijing final yr, prompting concern from the US and its allies together with Australia, New Zealand and Japan over China’s ambitions to construct a naval base within the area.
The Solomon Islands and China have denied the safety pact that might permit a naval base.
