Wang Yi Holds Talks with Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea Soroi Eoe

On June 3, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Soroi Eoe in Port Moresby.

Wang Yi said, as the largest Pacific Island Country, PNG exerts an important influence on the Asia-Pacific region. President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to PNG in 2018, pushing bilateral relations into a new stage of high-level development. The two sides have grasped the strategic positioning of mutual respect and common development, firmly supported each other's core interests, carried out practical cooperation with sincerity, and taken a clear stand in upholding international justice. Facts have proved that sound China-PNG relations not only bring huge benefits to the two countries and two peoples, but also help improve the overall relations between China and the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) having diplomatic ties with China, maintain the solidarity of developing countries, and promote regional peace and development. PNG is an important strategic cooperative partner of China in the South Pacific region. China is ready to work with PNG, from a higher level and a broader perspective, to strengthen strategic planning, enhance strategic mutual trust, and make China-PNG relations the "locomotive" driving China's relations with PICs.

Wang Yi said, China appreciates PNG's adherence to the one-China principle and support for China's legitimate propositions. China also firmly supports PNG in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, pursuing an independent development path and achieving national prosperity. PNG is China's largest trading partner, investment destination and project-contracting market in the South Pacific region. The outcomes of bilateral cooperation, which can be seen everywhere, have brought tangible benefits to the people of PNG. China will work to upgrade bilateral cooperation to generate a scale effect and deliver more dividends. China is ready to share its development experience and technology and build more landmark cooperation projects.

Eoe welcomed Wang Yi's second visit to PNG, and congratulated China and Fiji on successfully co-hosting the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Eoe said, PNG truly feels the importance China attaches to PICs, and the Chinese delegation's visit will not only enhance cooperation between PICs and China, but also help PICs accelerate development and safeguard common interests.

Eoe said, PNG and China enjoy robust and vigorous relations, with mutually beneficial cooperation yielding fruitful results. PNG appreciates China's commitment to the philosophy of mutual respect, treating each other as equals, mutually beneficial cooperation, and not leaving any country or individual behind. PNG appreciates China's valuable support for its efforts to speed up development and improve people's well-being. No matter how the situation at home and abroad may change, PNG will, as always, adhere to the one-China principle, which is the cornerstone of bilateral relations, firmly support China's legitimate position on issues relating to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and other internal issues, and stand ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields to benefit the people of PNG.

The two sides agreed to seek greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG Infrastructure Development Program 2020-2040, complete the feasibility study of the free trade agreement at an early date, and strengthen experience-sharing on the development of special economic zones.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, fisheries, communications, health and other fields, and continue to well implement the China-Aided JUNCAO Technology and Upland Rice Technology Cooperation Project. The two sides will tap the potential of cooperation in fields such as law enforcement and at sub-national levels. Efforts will be made to strengthen downstream processing cooperation in agriculture, forestry and fisheries to help PNG speed up industrialization and enhance its capacity for self-driven development.

After the talks, the two sides attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents on pandemic response, disaster prevention and mitigation, and green development, among others. The two sides also witnessed the inauguration of the China-aided Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Port Moresby General Hospital, and jointly met the press and answered questions.