Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is willing to consolidate political mutual trust and expand cooperation with Papua New Guinea, during his meeting with the country's visiting Prime Minister James Marape on Tuesday.

Marape is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to China. 

Xi noted that Papua New Guinea was one of the first Pacific island countries to establish ties with China. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 47 years ago, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Papua New Guinea has become more mature and stable, Xi said. 

Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to work with Papua New Guinea to consolidate mutual political trust, expand areas of cooperation, and bring benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi said. 

China applauds Papua New Guinea for adhering to the one-China principle and giving firm support to China on issues concerning China's core interests and of major concerns, Xi said, adding that China will also firmly support Papua New Guinea in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests.

Noting that Papua New Guinea is the first Pacific island country to sign a memorandum of understanding and cooperation plan for jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with China, Xi said Papua New Guinea has played a leading and exemplary role in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, and China is willing to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Papua New Guinea.

China is willing to share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization and help Papua New Guinea pursue industrialization and modernization, said Xi.

Xi noted that China's assistance to Pacific island countries is candid, sincere and selfless. It does not attach political conditions or seek exclusive rights in conducting such assistance.

China does not make empty promises and fully respects the willingness and the practical needs of Pacific island countries, he added.

Echoing Xi, Marape said people from both countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges.

Marape also thanked China's assistance to Papua New Guinea, adding that it has brought enormous benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea.

He added that Papua New Guinea firmly supports the one-China principle. 

Papua New Guinea and China will continue to firmly support each other, deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in various fields within the BRI framework, promote mutually beneficial cooperation between countries in the South Pacific region and China, and jointly create a better future for relations between Pacific island countries and China, Marape said.

(With input from Xinhua)