Video Message of Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea for the Forum on the 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation

Forum on the 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation 

(September 2, 2021)

Video Message of H.E. James Marape, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Your Excellency President Xi Jinping,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, I thank Your Excellency for the invitation to speak at this 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation. Let me extend sincere gratitude to H.E. President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government for your continuous assistance to PNG including the Juncao project. 

Before I proceed, let me reaffirm my government’s continuous and strict observance to the One-China policy. Let me also reaffirm that Papua New Guinea was the first place to receive Juncao technology outside China. Twenty years ago, President Xi, as then Governor of Fujian Province, personally introduced the Juncao and upland rice technology into Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. This project has continued to develop to date, and has brought tangible benefits to the local population in terms of innovative agricultural farming, poverty alleviation and food security.

The Juncao technology is a powerful tool for PNG to lift itself out of poverty. The highlands, which account for a large part of the territory of PNG, were once considered unsuitable for rice production, but the Chinese Juncao changed it forever. So far, there are more than 700 mushroom farmers in highlands, and more than half are women. Over 3,000 farmers have mastered the growth technology of upland rice. The Juncao demonstration base has already produced more than 50,000 bags of mushroom tubes for promoting mushroom cultivation. More than 1,000 kilograms of upland rice seeds have been distributed to upland rice demonstration households. A total of 100 hectares of upland rice have been planted. Mushrooms and rice, along with coffee, are now the most important high value crops in PNG’s highlands. We see an increase in household income, greater gender equality in the community, and more villagers getting rid of poverty. Juncao is our grass for poverty alleviation and prosperity. 

The Juncao technology opens a new pathway to sustainable development for PNG and other developing countries. It strikes a good balance between income generation for farmers and conservation of the environment, and contributes to the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I know there is an old Chinese saying that it is better to teach someone to fish than to give them fish. The Chinese expert team has been in PNG for 20 years, and has trained many local people hand over hand in the fields to grow rice and mushroom. Some local people have even named their children "Juncao" in appreciation of this magic Juncao assistance.

The Juncao project is a glimpse of China's achievements in fighting poverty and a gift from China to the world. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and China has completed the historic task of eradication of absolute poverty. Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people. China's success has set an example and provided valuable experience for developing countries such as PNG.

At present, the world is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pacific island countries like PNG are facing unprecedented challenges to their economic and social development. China's assistance on this occasion has greatly helped PNG in tackling COVID-19 and other  challenges. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between PNG and China. PNG highly values the bilateral relationships and looks forward to closer cooperation with China, and welcomes China’s continued efforts to share development dividends and experience like Juncao with PNG. To conclude, working together, we will surely embrace a brighter tomorrow of sustainable development.

I wish the Forum every success. Thank you very much! Xiexie!