Prime Minister O'neill arrives in Fiji for China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic Development Forum

Prime Minister Peter O’Neil arrived in Fiji on friday for the China-Pacific Islands Countries (PIC) Leaders meeting with visiting Chinese President His Excellency Xi Jinping in Nadi, which takes place yesterday.

The China-PIC Leaders meetings take place every three years to discuss issues affecting the Pacific region and how China can partner with the island countries in addressing development issues.

Papua New Guinea and China have long standing diplomatic relations with since 1975 and the relationship has continued to be strengthened over the years through exchange of high level visits, people to people contacts, business, trade and investment. The PNG Government strictly adheres to the “One China Policy.”

China is PNG’s third largest donor apart from Australia and Japan with a total value of aid estimated at USD$220 million that is provided through Grants, Technical Assistance, and Concessional Loans under the Chinese Government and PNG Economic and Technical Cooperation Program.

The meeting with President Jinping will further enhance PNG/China relationship as well as with other Pacific Islands Forum Countries that have bilateral relations with China.

The Chinese presence in the Pacific region is indicative of the strategic importance and is based on mutual respect and cooperation as is evidenced in the many development assistance programs provided by the Government of China.

Prime Minister O’Neill apart from the meeting will witness the signing of various Development Assistance Agreements to be formalized by Minister for Foreign Affairs Rimbink Pato and National Housing Corporation Managing Director Mr John Dege.

These Agreements are as follows:

· Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation
· Framework Agreement on the provision of Concessional Loan
· Government Concessional Loan Agreement
· Preferential Buyer Credit Loan Agreement
· PNG Affordable Housing Construction Project
· PNG Edevu Hydropower Plant Project Investment

China continues to remain an important bilateral partner for PNG and the Pacific region as a whole through its various development assistance programs.

China’s growing presence in the region is evident and individual Pacific Island Countries should focus on expanding relations through business and trade and investment, capacity building, tourism, agriculture and fisheries with China.