China and Papua New Guinea Strengthen Relations

China and PNG strengthen relationship

As part of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, that culminated with the Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, met with a number of other regional leaders in series of bilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill met with China’s President, H.E. Xi Jinping, in The Great Hall of the People in Beijing where the two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest.

In the discussion, Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill highlighted the warmth of the relationship between the two countries and made the point that Papua New Guinea maintains strong support for China in the Pacific region.

“Papua New Guinea and China have a warm relationship and we expect this will only continue to strengthen,” the Prime Minister said after the bilateral meeting. President Xi expressed his ongoing interest in the deepening relations with Papua New Guinea in areas that include cultural and educational exchange.

The Prime Minister further thanked President Xi for China’s support in Papua New Guinea being selected to host the APEC process in 2018 that will conclude with the APEC Leaders Summit. China has offered to look at how further support might be provided to Papua New Guinea in preparation for hosting APEC in 2018.

The Leaders discussed ongoing business cooperation between Papua New Guinea and China that now includes the shipment of LNG as well as more traditional trade including agriculture and fisheries products, and a number of resources projects. In closing, China’s President asked the Prime Minister to convey his warm greetings to Papua New Guinea’s Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were Foreign Minister, Hon Rimbink Pato MP; Trade and Industry Minster, Richard Maru MP; Minster for National Events, Hon Justin Tkatchenko MP; and senior government officials.