JUNE 5 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says China-Papua New Guinea relations remain “solid and strong” since in 1976 when diplomatic relations between the two countries were forged.
He said this on Friday (June 3 2022) after a meeting with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Port Moresby.
PM Marape said PNG was privileged to have received Minister Wang Yi, one of the highest-ranking Ministers in China.
“Today, as we speak, China-PNG relationship is as solid and strong as ever since 1976,” he said.
“We’ve always upheld the One China Policy long before the present geo-politics that is taking place.
“In 1975-1976, through the wisdom of the fathers of our country, our foreign policy has always been ‘friends to all, enemies to none’.
“In respect to our bilateral relations with China, we’ve always upheld the One China Policy outlook, something that I reechoed to the Chinese Foreign Minister during our meeting.
“Our foreign policy has not changed and will not change into the future.”
PM Marape said China-PNG relations could not be compromised or sabotaged “as it is a very-important relationship”.
He said Minister Wang Yi had extended an invitation to him to visit China, and added that the invitation would be taken up, after formation of the new government in August.
PM Marape said it was unfortunate that leaders, such as former prime minister Peter O’Neill, felt that he should not be meeting the Chinese Foreign Minister.
“Contrary to what O’Neill is saying, this country is still functional, and there is an Executive Government in place,” he said.
“The work of the Executive Government continues and we continue to promote our national interest.”
PM Marape said PNG was very fortunate to have good relations with world economic powerhouses such as the US, China, Japan and others.
“Papua New Guinea’s foreign relationships will be no more about politics, and security, as we will move big time into the economic space,” he said.
“Other nations who want to have a good, vibrant relationship with us should pick the agenda of downstream processing of our natural resources.”
PM Marape welcomed Minister Wang Yi’s visit and recalled his visit to China in February this year to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on behalf of Pacific Island Countries and his fruitful and friendly exchanges with Chinese leaders.
He said PNG admired the remarkable achievements China had made in its development and appreciated that China had accomplished its goal of poverty alleviation as scheduled and enabled its people to live a better life.
PM Marape thanked China for its great support to PNG in accelerating development, especially in infrastructure construction.
He said the important consensus reached by the two sides was becoming a reality, and the two countries had established strong political relations and close economic and trade ties.
The two sides agreed to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.
***
