Asia Pacific
10:39, 21-Apr-2019
Interview – Papua New Guinea PM says country to participate more under BRI
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Papua New Guinea is willing to join in more cooperative projects under the Belt and Road Initiative to boost the country's economy, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said in a recent interview with CCTV, ahead of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
O'Neill told CCTV that he will lead a business delegation to attend the BRF meeting in Beijing scheduled from April 25 to 27.
PNG is the first among the Pacific island nations to sign cooperation agreements with China under the Belt and Road Initiative. During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the country in October last year, the two countries agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development between the two countries.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill speaks during the APEC CEO Summit 2018 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, November 16, 2018. /Reuters Photo
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill speaks during the APEC CEO Summit 2018 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, November 16, 2018. /Reuters Photo
China is committed to pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative to boost cooperation among different countries around the world and it is committed to the idea of building a community of shared destiny, O'Neill said. These ideas of sharing opportunity, common growth and development and mutual prosperity are important given the current international circumstances, he stressed.
China's investment to infrastructure will bring economic growth and improve people's livelihood, O'Neill said. China is a strong partner and the bilateral cooperation has brought huge benefits to PNG, he said, adding that his country hopes to participate more projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.