PHOTO XINHUA PORT MORESBY - The sound relations between China and Papua New Guinea will boost regional peace and development, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.
Wang, who had talks with Soroi Eoe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of PNG, said such relations will not only bring enormous benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also increase China's overall ties with Pacific island countries that have diplomatic relations with them, so as to promote regional peace and development.
PNG is China's key strategic cooperation partner in the South Pacific region, and China is willing to work with the PNG side to enhance strategic planning, boost strategic mutual trust, and build China-PNG relations into a locomotive that helps advance China's ties with Pacific island countries, Wang said.
Wang noted that China appreciates PGN for firmly upholding the One-China principle and supporting China's legitimate proposals, and China also gives steadfast support for PNG in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and seeking a path of self-development for national prosperity.
He pointed out that PNG is China's biggest trade partner, investment destination and market of contracted projects in the South Pacific region, and the results of bilateral cooperation can be seen everywhere in the country, which has produced tangible benefits for the PNG people.
PHOTO XINHUA China will continue to improve the bilateral cooperation to achieve a scale effect that will generate more dividends, and share with PNG its own development experience and technology, so as to create more landmark cooperation projects, said Wang.
Eoe said the visit by the Chinese delegation not only helps boost cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, but also supports the efforts of the Pacific island nations to speed up their development and safeguard their common interests.
Eoe said Papua New Guinea will continue to adhere to the one-China principle, which is the foundation of bilateral relations, and unwaveringly support China's just position on its internal affairs, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang issues. Eoe said that PNG was willing to increase pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG infrastructure development strategy, complete a feasibility study on a free trade agreement between the two countries and expand cooperation in areas such as energy, fisheries, communication and healthcare.
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The two countries planned to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement and at local level, and to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, forestry and fisheries processing industries, so as to help Papua New Guinea speed up its industrialization process and improve its capacity of self-development.
Following the meeting, Eoe and Wang attended a signing ceremony of cooperation documents on anti-pandemic, disaster prevention and mitigation, and green development, among others.
They also attended an inauguration ceremony of a new surgical center in Port Moresby, built with China's assistance, and also met with the press.