China’s President to be Invited for State Visit to Papua New Guinea

The President of China, H.E. Xi Jinping, will be invited to attend an Official State visit to Papua New Guinea when he attends the APEC Summit in November 2018.

The matter was raised during a meeting held by Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, with China’s new Ambassador, H.E. Xue Bing, in Port Moresby this week.

The Prime Minister said relations between Papua New Guinea and China are built on strong historical foundations and the State Visit will provide the basis for deepening this engagement.

“President Xi Jinping was one of the first Leaders to accept our invitation to attend the APEC Leaders’ Summit, and now we would like to extend our welcome through a State Visit at the same time.
“This will provide greater opportunity to advance direct bilateral engagement and investment, and for President Xi to see first-hand the development co-operation between our countries.
“China is a foundation customer for Papua New Guinea’s LNG exports, and the volume of trade and commercial relations in other areas continues to grow.
Papua New Guinea also appreciates China’s support in advancing education in our country.
“Our country is committed to a One China Policy, and this provides a basis for the strengthening of engagement and co-operation.”
PM O’Neill said China and Papua New Guinea will further continue working together in other global forums.
“Our countries have shared interests in many of the major challenges facing the world today.
“On climate change, we have a common desire to deal with this problem and co-operate in international forums to bring about global action.
“Papua New Guinea also shares similar views to China in relation to United Nations reform, in that the current UN model must evolve with the needs of the global community.
“The UN must be relevant to all members.”
PM O’Neill said the strengthening of people-to-people engagement is vital to growing the relationship.
“While Papua New Guinea and China formalised bilateral relations in 1976, our two Nations have long historical links through trade.
“For more than 200 years, Chinese people have come to our country and been involved in business.
“In the coming years we will continue to deepen this interaction between our countries with the establishment of direct flights between Port Moresby and Shanghai.
“This increased ease of travel will provide a further gateway to expand business and tourism, and also to establish more student exchanges.”
H.E. Xue Bing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, has previously served in diplomatic postings in Canada, Australia, Kenya, United States, New Zealand and Fiji.