China to enhance cooperation with Papua New Guinea: Qin Gang

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Papua New Guinea (PNG) under multilateral frameworks, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang during a meeting with PNG Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Justin Tkatchenko on Thursday in Boao, Hainan Province.

Calling Papua New Guinea a good friend and partner to China, Qin stated that China is eager to work with PNG to implement the consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, adhere to mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, and tap the potential of cooperation.

Qin said China appreciates PNG’s firm adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG infrastructure development strategy.

China welcomes PNG’s accession to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to PNG without attaching political conditions, Qin said.

Noting China is an important partner of PNG, Tkatchenko said that PNG adheres to the one-China principle and is firmly committed to deepening its relations with China.

PNG is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in areas such as economy, trade, education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Tkatchenko added.