The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has received two new police speedboats from the Peopleβs Republic of China (PRC), officially handed over at the Aola base on 13 January 2026.
The vessels, valued at approximately SBD 3.5 million, were shipped from China and formally presented to RSIPF in the presence of the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Honourable Jimson Fiau Tanangada, and the PRC Ambassador to Solomon Islands, H.E. Cai Weiming.
A certificate of handover was signed by Acting Commissioner of RSIPF, Mr Mathias Lenialu, and China Police Liaison Team (CPLT) Commissioner, Mr Liu Shenghuang.
Minister Tanangada described the occasion as significant and historic, noting that it marks the first time the PRC has gifted fast police crafts to the Solomon Islands Government. He said the handover represents an important milestone in bilateral cooperation, particularly in policing, maritime security, and national security capability development.
He said the donation is grounded in strong cooperation frameworks established between the two countries, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation signed in March 2022, the Solomon IslandsβChina Security Cooperation Framework in April 2022, and the Implementation Plan on Police Cooperation signed in July 2023.
Since the commencement of police cooperation, Minister Tanangada said the PRCβs Ministry of Public Security has demonstrated consistent support through infrastructure development, equipment provision, and capacity building. The gifting of the two fast crafts directly responds to Solomon Islandsβ priority to strengthen small-craft maritime policing capabilities.
βOn behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, I sincerely thank the PRC, through H.E. the Ambassador, for this timely and valuable support. These vessels will serve our country well and make a lasting contribution to strengthening police maritime capability,β he said.
Speaking at the handover, Ambassador Cai Weiming said the speedboats are well designed and rapidly constructed, with an average speed of 34 knots. He said the vessels are intended to enhance the operational capacity of RSIPF maritime enforcement units.
He noted that with more than 900 islands and a vast maritime domain, maritime policing is a critical component of Solomon Islandsβ law enforcement system. The speedboats will support maritime patrols, emergency rescue operations, and efforts to combat maritime crime.
βThe successful delivery of these two police speedboats is not only the latest achievement in ChinaβSolomon Islands police cooperation, but also a practical measure to address emerging challenges in maritime law enforcement,β Ambassador Cai said.
He added that law enforcement cooperation is a key element of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Solomon Islands. Since 2022, China has deployed seven CPLT teams to support RSIPF in capacity building and public order management, contributing to improved safety and security for the people of Solomon Islands.
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[Media Release]
