By DALCY LULUA
Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Yang Xiaoguang, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening its partnership with PNG, unveiling a broad cooperation agenda aimed at shaping the next 50 years of bilateral relations.
At a media briefing, Ambassador Yang said the achievements of China-PNG ties over past decades were “heartening” but emphasized that both nations must now “jointly chart the development blueprint for the next 50 years”.
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1976, China and PNG have developed a close and wide-ranging partnership. PNG was the first Pacific Island country to sign on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has since delivered major infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, schools, and medical facilities across the country.
China has also become PNG’s largest trading partner and investor, with two-way trade surpassing billions of kina annually. In addition, Chinese companies have been active in resource development, agriculture, fisheries, and energy sectors, while Chinese aid has supported education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts.
People-to-people exchanges have also grown significantly, with thousands of PNG students receiving scholarships to study in China and medical teams from China providing services in local hospitals. Most recently, China provided assistance to PNG during the COVID-19 pandemic through the supply of vaccines, medical equipment, and health expertise.
Building on this history, Ambassador Yang called for stronger high-level exchanges to further deepen political trust and mutual support on issues of core national interest. He urged PNG to continue building on the strong foundations of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Ambassador confirmed China’s readiness to negotiate and sign the first free trade agreement between China and a Pacific Island country, with PNG as the preferred partner. Such an agreement, he said, would grant PNG access to China’s market of 1.4 billion consumers.
Beyond trade, he highlighted opportunities for cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, clean energy, climate change mitigation, information and communication technology, disaster management, and police affairs.
Ambassador Yang also revealed that China Southern Airlines is considering new regional flight routes through Port Moresby, which could help the capital become a regional transport hub.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to educational exchanges, pledging to expand Chinese language education in PNG and to encourage collaboration between universities from both countries.
He also announced plans to dispatch more Chinese medical experts, strengthen health cooperation, and promote traditional Chinese medicine in PNG.
Quoting the Chinese proverb, “It’s better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish,” the Ambassador stressed that China is ready to share its development experience, policy ideas, and technical expertise to support PNG’s long-term, independent development.
Ambassador Yang also called on the media to play a constructive role in promoting understanding between the two nations. “We welcome all sectors of PNG, including media friends, to visit China frequently and actively introduce the real China to all Papua New Guineans,” he said.
He concluded by noting that the potential of China-PNG cooperation “extends far beyond” what has already been achieved and expressed Beijing’s readiness to work closely with PNG across all sectors to elevate relations to new heights.