A reception was held in Beijing Wednesday by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Ma Canrong, assistant foreign minister of China,and Barney Rongap, PNG ambassador to China, attended the gathering.
Chen Haosu, president of CPAFFC, said that China and the PNG have witnessed a steady development in friendly cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic ties. The leaders of both sides have attached much importance to the relations between the two countries and paid each other repeated visits.
During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic leaders meeting, which ended October 21, Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with PNG Prime Minister Mekere Morauta, and the two leaders agreed that prospects for ties between the two countries look excellent in the new century.
Chen pointed out that the two countries have carried out many exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture and education as well as among peoples. In recent years, the bilateral trade has been strengthened, as the bilateral trade volume reached 225 million U.S. dollars -- almost double that of the previous year.
Since 1998, China and the PNG have founded three pairs of sister cities.
Chen also expressed appreciation for the PNG's understanding and support for China in the international affairs, and the PNG government's one-China stance.
Rongap said that China has consistently offered technological assistance, soft loans as well as direct help to his country. China and PNG are both developing countries, whose leaders share the same views on most international issues.
He also said that PNG will continue to observe its set principles for the development of ties between the two sides.
(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2001)
