Chinese government has started to evacuate Chinese from the riots-torn Solomon Islands, with the first chartered plane landing in Port Moresby of Papua New Guinea on Saturday night.

The about 90 evacuees, mostly women and children, on board an Air Niugini plane include Chinese citizens and other countries' citizens of Chinese origin, according to the Chinese embassy in Port Moresby.

Counselor Zhao Yanbo told Xinhua that another flight has left for Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, on Sunday to get more evacuees.

There are about 300 Chinese taking shelter at a police head office in Honiara and they will be evacuated on a voluntary basis, he said.

He confirmed that many of the Chinese are homeless now after their property lost and business ruined in the two-day riots starting on April 18.

As China and the Solomon Islands do not have diplomatic relations, two Port Moresby-based Chinese consulate officials are in Honiara to facilitate the evacuation.

He said a third flight will be arranged if it is necessary and the massive evacuation will hopefully finish on Sunday.

Zhao said the evacuees arriving in Port Moresby will be flown to China next week.

Meanwhile, 15 Chinese who fled the Solomon Islands on board Australian and New Zealand military aircraft will be on their way home from Sydney on Sunday.

The Chinese were the main target and victims of the riots triggered by political protests over the controversial election of new Prime Minister Snyder Bini. Chinatown was nearly leveled down following looting and arson.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2006)