Qin Gang Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea Justin Tkachenko

On March 30, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Justin Tkachenko, who was in China for the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023, in Boao, Hainan Province.

Qin Gang said that PNG is a good friend and good partner of China. President Xi Jinping's successful meeting with Prime Minister James Marape last year has injected new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with PNG to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, adhere to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, tap the potential of cooperation, and continuously upgrade the quality of bilateral relations. China appreciates PNG's firm commitment to the one-China principle, stands ready to deepen the strategic synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG Infrastructure Development Program 2020-2040, welcomes PNG's accession to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to PNG without political strings attached. China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with PNG in tourism, education, culture and youth and strengthen communication and cooperation within the frameworks of APEC and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Tkachenko thanked China for its strong support for PNG's economic and social development, saying that China is an important cooperative partner of PNG. PNG adheres to the one-China principle, stays firmly committed to deepening relations with China, and is ready to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, education, culture and more, and promote bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Pacific Islands Forum.