BEIJING/PORT MORESBY, (XINHUA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Papua New Guinea Governor-General Bob Dadae have exchanged congratulatory messages marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Xi described Papua New Guinea as a “good friend, good partner and good brother” of China in the Pacific Islands region.
He said the two countries had strengthened political trust, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges since establishing diplomatic ties five decades ago.
These achievements had benefited both countries and contributed to building a China-Pacific Islands community with a shared future, Xi said.
Xi said he attached great importance to relations with Papua New Guinea and was ready to work with Dadae to use the anniversary to strengthen traditional friendship and expand cooperation across various fields.
He said both countries should work to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and deliver greater benefits to their peoples.
Dadae said bilateral relations had made significant progress over the past 50 years, benefiting both countries and their people.
He said Papua New Guinea valued its longstanding friendship with China and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the one-China principle.
Dadae said the anniversary provided an opportunity to further strengthen and advance relations between the two countries.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulatory messages with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday.
Li said China was willing to work with Papua New Guinea to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Marape said his government highly appreciated China’s contributions to Papua New Guinea’s economic and social development.
He reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to the one-China principle and said the government would continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China across various sectors.
The 50th anniversary marks five decades of diplomatic engagement between China and Papua New Guinea, which established formal relations in 1976….PACNEWS