China-Papua New Guinea relations reach new level

World
Europe

00:29

China and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have seen a historic development of their relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, while talking with PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

President Xi said that China and PNG have entered a fast-track development, and the mutual political trust and beneficial cooperation has reached a new historical level, since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2014.

Xi stressed that the two countries should continue to consolidate the political basis of bilateral relations in issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.

We should expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and make the "cakes" bigger and bigger, while seeking new cooperation fields, Xi said.

PNG has officially joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and is the first country in the Pacific island region to sign a memorandum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Xi.

The Chinese president encouraged the two countries to treat this as a new starting point and actively expand practical cooperation within the framework of the BRI to provide strong impetus for the sustainable and stable development of bilateral relations.

Xi added that China is willing to strengthen coordination with PNG under the multilateral mechanism and support PNG in hosting this year's APEC leaders' meeting, jointly building an open Asia-Pacific economy.

O'Neill said that PNG is committed to deepening its strategic partnership with China and firmly upholds to the one-China policy.

O'Neill expressed his gratitude for China's strong support for PNG to host the APEC meeting.

We appreciate China's role in combating climate change and are willing to communicate with each other in multilateral and regional affairs, O'Neill said.