On March 11, 2025, Manasseh Maelanga, Minister of Infrastructure Development of Solomon Islands, led a delegation of seven members to visit the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS). Cui Pengwei, Chairman of the Board of Directors CATAS, attended the symposium.

Prof.Cui highlighted that tropical island nations possess unique climatic conditions and resource endowments. Over the years, CATAS has leveraged its strengths in tropical agricultural science and technology to establish stable partnerships with South Pacific island countries, particularly in systematic technical training for coconut production and processing. He expressed hope that this visit would serve as an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation with Solomon Islands in areas such as variety improvement, efficient cultivation techniques, and agricultural product processing for tropical crops like coconut, cassava, and cocoa.

Minister Maelanga emphasized that Solomon Islands places high priority on agricultural development. However, the country currently faces gaps in agricultural processing technologies and quality safety testing. He expressed interest in learning from CATAS’s advanced expertise in building quality and safety standards for agricultural products, high-yield cultivation of tropical crops, and deep processing technologies. By introducing these agricultural technologies, Solomon Islands aims to enhance the added value of its agricultural sector and boost industrial growth.

Following the meeting, Minister Maelanga and his delegation toured the CATAS exhibition hall.