Li Keqiang Meets with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape

On the afternoon of February 5, 2022, Premier Li Keqiang met with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) James Marape via video link at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Li Keqiang said that PNG is China's important cooperative partner in the South Pacific region. In 2018, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to PNG, which greatly pushed forward the development of bilateral relations. China is willing to enhance political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with PNG to promote bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve new development.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China and PNG are strongly complementary in economy. China is ready to expand cooperation with PNG in such fields as infrastructure, energy, resources, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and more quality fishery products from PNG are welcome to the Chinese market. China hopes that both sides will speed up the advancement of the joint feasibility study on the free trade agreement. China will continue to support PNG in fighting the pandemic, and will strengthen communication and coordination with PNG in international and regional affairs to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Marape said the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 has fully demonstrated the spirit of international solidarity. PNG and China enjoy a time-honored relationship. PNG thanks China for its great help to the country's fight against the pandemic. PNG adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty, and stands ready to work with China to enhance political exchanges and deepen cooperation in such areas as fishery, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas. Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest and start businesses in PNG.

After the meeting, both sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents.