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 )