Chinese community in Honiara frustrated over delay in rebuilding Chinatown

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the riots which destroyed the Chinatown business district of Solomon Islands capital, Honiara.

The chinese community were the main targets of the April 18 2006 riots and became the victims of a power struggle between Guadalcanal and Malaita for control of the government.

Ninety percent of Chinatown was destroyed during looting and arson attacks leaving many homeless and ruined after their businesses were burnt to the ground.

Twelve months on and the Solomon Islands chinese community says it is frustrated by the slow progress in rebuilding the capital Honiara.

Matthew Quan from the Solomon Islands chinese association says the Honiara City Council is moving too slowly and questions how the chinese community is supposed to rebuild when basic amenities like drainage and telephone cables have not yet been put into place.

Source: Radio Australia