Governor General of the Papua New Guinea Paulias Matane attended
a reception in Beijing Friday to mark the 30th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between China, Papua New
Guinea.
The governor general is here for a six-day working visit to
China.
Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for
Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Li Xiaolin said at the
reception that China and Papua New Guinea, as important developing
countries in Asia-Pacific region, have conducted fruitful
cooperation in various fields.
China and Papua New Guinea forged diplomatic ties in 1976.
Two-way trade reached US$370 million last year, and may surpass
US$400 million this year, making Papua New Guinea China's largest
trading partner in the South Pacific.
The vice-president said China appreciated Papua New Guinea's
adherence to the one-China policy, and hope it would continue to
support China's peaceful reunification.
Matane said Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources, and
welcomes more people from China to invest there.
Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi sent Matane
a China-issued commemorative cover marking the 30th
anniversary.
Some 100 officials from the two countries, Fijian, Vanuatuan
ambassadors to China and representatives from Pacific Islands Forum
Trade Office attended the reception.
(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2006 )
