President Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape

On the afternoon of November 18 local time, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) James Marape in Bangkok, Thailand. 

President Xi pointed out that China and PNG, as good friends, good partners and good brothers, have set a fine example of solidarity, collaboration and win-win cooperation between developing countries. China will work with PNG towards a comprehensive strategic partnership at a higher level and with greater mutual benefit, with a view to playing a leading and exemplary role in building an even closer China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) community with a shared future.

President Xi highlighted China's readiness to work with PNG to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and to expand cooperation in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, infrastructure, special economic zones, disaster preparedness and mitigation, and green development. China will import more competitive PNG products and encourage Chinese businesses to invest and seek cooperation in PNG. China will implement the Global Development Initiative together with PNG, harness the six platforms for cooperation with the PICs on climate change, poverty reduction, agriculture, disaster preparedness, Juncao technology and emergency supplies, and ensure sound delivery of such projects as power grid, Juncao and upland rice technology assistance. China attaches importance to PNG's post-earthquake reconstruction and is ready to offer assistance. President Xi said he has been following the development of the Butuka Academy. Chinese teachers will be sent to the Academy, and teaching equipment and other supplies will be provided in light of PNG's needs.

President Xi underscored that in growing friendly relations with the PICs, China stays committed to equal treatment, mutual respect, win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, without targeting any third party, and it has no interest in geopolitical rivalry. China will step up coordination and collaboration with PNG and other PICs in regional and international affairs to uphold true multilateralism, basic norms governing international relations, and international fairness and justice, with a view to advancing peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific and beyond. 

Prime Minister Marape said that under the able leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved great success in its development and realized prosperity and stability. Nearly 100 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty and lead a happy life. He was very pleased to see President Xi Jinping's reelection as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The friendship between PNG and China is timeless. China has provided selfless assistance, including the Juncao technology, for PNG's economic development. PNG will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, firmly support China in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stay committed to deepening cooperation with China on economy, trade and other fronts and strengthening people-to-people exchanges in such areas as youth and education. More Chinese businesses are welcome to PNG for investment and cooperation. Nothing can stand in the way of further growth of PNG-China relations. PNG will continue to actively promote ties between the PICs region and China.

Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the meeting.