On June 13, Nanjing Medical University (NMU) received a delegation led by the Hon. Matthew Wale, Leader of the Democratic Party of Solomon Islands, accompanied by H.E. Barrett Salato, Ambassador of Solomon Islands to China. The delegation included Members of Parliament: the Hon. John Kulu, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Human Resources Training, and the Hon. John Maneniaru, Chairman of the Committee on Bills and Legislation. They were escorted by Mr. Zhang Chuan, Deputy Director of the Oceania Division, International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Mr. Chen Xiaobo, Second-Level Researcher at the Protocol and Press Division of Jiangsu Provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
Dr. Shen Ruilin, Member of the University Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice President of NMU, received the delegation. Representatives from the International Education School, the University President's Office, and Solomon Islands students studying at NMU attended the symposium, which was chaired by Prof. Chen Yun, Dean of the International Education School.
Vice President Shen extended a warm welcome to the delegation, stating that their visit not only affirmed NMU's achievements in medical education but also injected new momentum into deepening bilateral exchanges between China and Solomon Islands. He proposed enhancing communication channels and expanding cooperation models, including "tailored training programs," to cultivate more healthcare professionals for Solomon Islands. Dean Chen presented NMU's development history, international education profile, and breakthroughs in talent cultivation and scientific research, expressing hope for more Solomon Islands students to join NMU's academic community as ambassadors of bilateral friendship.
Hon. Matthew Wale expressed gratitude for NMU's hospitality and highlighted critical challenges in Solomon Islands' primary healthcare system, particularly in tropical disease control (e.g., malaria). He emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration in tropical medicine research and specialized training for medical personnel. The Leader specially acknowledged NMU's training of two Solomon Islands students and advocated for scaling up such initiatives.
During the open discussion, the two students shared their academic experiences, followed by in-depth exchanges on medical education cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation toured NMU's History Museum, praising the university's groundbreaking accomplishments in talent development and scientific research.
This visit has strengthened the bonds of friendship and advanced our shared commitment to building a global community of health for all.
（Drafted by Huang Xiaojia & Qin Huiling; Photos by Xu Hao; Reviewed by Chen Yun & Ding Haiyan; Translated by Wu Wenbo）
