HONG KONG - The Papua New Guinea (PNG)-Asia Investment Conference began on Monday in Hong Kong as the Pacific island country seeks more investments from Asian countries, especially China.

In an address at the opening of the two-day conference, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said PNG is a country that features the rule of law, honors agreements with investors and is abundant in opportunities for investment.

He is optimistic about Asian economies' growth potential, which fuels opportunities in commerce, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

The conference features sessions introducing investment opportunities in PNG in the mining and petroleum sectors as well as non-extractive industries

The conference features sessions introducing investment opportunities in PNG in the mining and petroleum sectors as well as non-extractive industries.

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Richard Maru, PNG's minister for international trade and investment, told Xinhua the conference is the start of marketing of investment opportunities for Asian investors, especially China, to invest in PNG.

China is PNG's most important trading partner, and bilateral trade could grow even further, he added.

Anthony Smare, president of PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, the organizer of the conference, said Hong Kong is an ideal site for the conference to be held to seek investments from all over Asia.

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During the conference, Chinese companies have shown strong interest in investing in the country, he said.