Papua New Guinea and China on Sunday agreed to promote the two
country's friendly and mutually beneficial relations on the
occasion of 30th anniversary of the establishment of their
diplomatic relations.
During a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing,
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somareon said the
relationship between the two countries has maintained stable since
it was established 30 years ago.
Somareon said the bilateral cooperation have expanded into all
fields, and China's assistance has brought lots of benefits to the
Papua New Guinean people, according to the reports reaching
Wellington.
The proposals to help promote the development of island
countries, which China raised at April's China-Pacific Island
Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum, have great
significance on boosting economic and social development of the
island nations.
Somareon added the government of Papua New Guinea firmly adheres
to the one-China policy and hopes to strengthen the two country's
cooperation in the fields such as economy and trade, investment,
telecommunication, education and cultural exchanges.
Papua New Guinea is also willing to enhance coordination and
cooperation with China in international affairs and promote the
development of bilateral ties, he added.
Li noted that China and Papua New Guinea have conducted a wide
range of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and
mutual benefit.
Papua New Guinea is China's important partner in the Pacific
region and China hopes to maintain the momentum of high-level
visits between the two countries, expand the scale of bilateral
trade and investment, and strengthen the economic and technological
cooperation as well as cultural exchanges, said Li, adding that
China appreciated Papua New Guinea's adherence to the one-China
policy.
He added that China attaches importance to promoting relations
with the island countries in the Pacific region. China is willing
to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with all island countries in
order to realize common development.
China is always a reliable friend and partner of all island
nations, Li stressed.
During his visit, Li also held talks with his Papua New Guinean
counterpart Rabbie Namaliu on bilateral relations as well as
regional and international issues of common concern.
(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2006)
