2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

News> Nation> Content
Friday, November 16, 2018, 17:58
China, PNG to enhance ties
By Xinhua
Friday, November 16, 2018, 17:58 By Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (left) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 21, 2018. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

PORT MORESBY - Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O'Neill agreed on Friday to set up a comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries, featuring mutual respect and common development.

The decision was made during a meeting between Xi and O'Neill where they spoke positively of the traditional friendship between China and PNG and charted the course for the development of bilateral relations.  

Xi said he believes that the China-assisted Independence Boulevard will bring about more convenience and prosperity to the local people

The two leaders also attended the hand-over ceremony of the China-assisted Independence Boulevard on Friday.

The road project has linked the national parliament house and the PNG capital's trunk roads, providing more convenient and efficient transportation conditions for the locals.

The Independence Boulevard connects the profound friendship between the Chinese people and the PNG people and bears the good wishes of the Chinese people to the PNG people, Xi said while addressing the ceremony.

READ MORE: Envoy: China-Papua New Guinea ties to grow rapidly

Noting that Chinese construction companies have completed the road project with the highest standard and the fastest speed, Xi said he believes that the Independence Boulevard will bring about more convenience and prosperity to the local people.

China is willing to enhance mutual trust, expand communication and boost cooperation with PNG, and together build a road of prosperity, openness and friendship, he said.

The Independence Boulevard project is a symbol of PNG-China friendship and of China's important support to PNG, O'Neill said

PNG will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, which is a grand event for PNG and all the Pacific island countries, Xi said.

As PNG's good friend and good partner, China has provided support and assistance within its capacity to PNG in hosting the event, he added.

For his part, O'Neill said he is delighted to jointly attend the hand-over ceremony with Xi and thanked China for its long-term assistance to his country.

The Independence Boulevard project is a symbol of PNG-China friendship and of China's important support to PNG, the prime minister said.

Today is another key moment in PNG-China relations, as the inauguration of the boulevard will be a milestone in bilateral ties, O'Neill said.

Calling China a good friend of PNG, O'Neill said his country, which shoulders heavy task of national development, is willing to maintain strong partnership with China.

Also on Friday, Xi said he hopes his ongoing visit to PNG would help boost relations between the two countries.

During the meeting with PNG Governor-General Bob Dadae, Xi pointed out that this is not only his first visit to PNG, but also the first-ever state visit by a Chinese president.

ALSO READ: Xi vows support for Asia-Pacific

Thanking the PNG government and people for the warm reception, Xi said interactions between China and PNG go a long way back.

Thanking the PNG government and people for the warm reception, Xi said interactions between China and PNG go a long way back

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976, cooperation between China and PNG in various areas has witnessed fast expansion, which laid a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations, he said.

Xi said the Chinese side has attached great importance to relations with PNG, and that he hopes his ongoing visit would help boost bilateral relations, expand all-dimensional exchanges between the two countries, promote friendly communication between the peoples, and push for fruitful results in practical cooperation in a broad range of areas.

The Chinese side is staunchly committed to strengthening solidarity and cooperation with Pacific island countries including PNG, Xi said.

Extending warm welcome to the Chinese president, Dadae called the visit a rare and grand event for his country in years.

PNG and China enjoy profound friendship, he said, noting that there were Chinese traveling to and settling down in PNG more than a century ago.

PNG established diplomatic relations with China the year after its independence, he said, adding that the visit by Xi is a milestone event for bilateral relations.

READ MORE: Full text of Xi's signed article on PNG newspapers

The governor-general thanked the Chinese side for its precious assistance to PNG in areas concerning national development and people's livelihood such as infrastructure construction, education and health.

He also thanked China for its great support for PNG in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.

PNG is ready to join efforts with China to lift the two countries' relations to a higher level, he said.

Prior to the meeting, Dadae held a grand welcome ceremony in Xi's honor in front of the national parliament house, featuring a 21-gun salute and folk dances. 

 


Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !