BY KEITH JACKSON
THE CHINESE ambassador to Papua New Guinea has said that China-PNG relations have set a good example for cooperation between the countries.
Ambassador Qiu Bohua was speaking at a reception in Port Moresby to mark China's National Day. Prime minister Peter O'Neill and president of the Bougainville Autonomous Province, John Momis, were among the guests at the function.
“Thirty-five years ago, the PNG Government made a far-sighting decision to establish diplomatic relations with China,: Mr Qiu said. “Since then, the bilateral relations have made significant progress on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.”
“We highly appreciate that the PNG side always adheres to the One China policy and supports China's peaceful reunification.”
The ambassador said that trade between the two countries has been booming.
“PNG has become China's biggest trade partner and investment destination among Pacific Islands,” he said.
“Our people-to-people exchanges have been widening, effectively promoting friendship and mutual understanding. Our cooperation in international and regional affairs has been intensifying, sharing more common interests and similar concepts.”
Mr Qiu said that, even though China is still a developing country, it has been providing aid to the best of its ability to PNG.
“During the past years, the Chinese government has spared no efforts to support and assist PNG with the implementation of a dozen aid projects,” he said.
These included the Sir John Guise Stadium, Wawin National High School, Goroka University, Mt Hagen Agriculture Technical Cooperation, and medical teams working in Port Moresby General Hospital.
“Over 200 PNG students were granted Chinese government scholarships to undertake degree studies in China,” he said, “and around 400 government officials and technical personnel were invited to China to attend various programs of different sectors for capacity training purpose.”
Mr Qiu said that 2011 is another fruitful year for cooperation with projects including the Usino Junction-Yamagi Road, Phase II of Mt Hagen agriculture technical cooperation, the Distant Education Network, the Integrated Government Information System Network and the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone.
“We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking of the International Convention Centre project in Port Moresby,” he said. “All these are the sweet fruits yielding from the long-term stable and friendly bilateral relationship between China and PNG.”
Mr Qiu described the controversial Ramu Nickel project as a good example of bilateral cooperation.
“The project is a win-win for our two countries. It is my firm belief that with the smooth running of Ramu Nickel, the confidence of foreign investors in PNG will be boosted, and the bilateral economic relations between our two countries will be further lifted to a higher level,” he said. “We hope to see the first production soon to put new vigour into the PNG economy.”
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 7 October
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/zwbd/t865398.htm
Well let's think out of the box. We Papua New Guineans are a subsistent and cohesive society. It's said that above 80% of the population live in povery(some say extreme poverty) but I wouldn't say that.
Our land is naturally endowed with earthly treasure, but so why poor? We can change and exert influence to others with the notion that PNG is the biggest nation in the Pacific region.
With that knowledge in mind, the most limiting factor is we don't have ethical and visionary government leaders. Most of our leaders are hungry for the power game.
If China has done something for our country and we PNGean common people can't see the fruition of all that is underway or taken place then such questions should be directed to the leader.
I know some of the benefits PNG may receive or is hoping from China to strengthen bilateral cooperation: economy, trade, agriculture, health and military affairs.
Construction of the Ramu nickel mine project jointly developed by the China Metallurgical Group Corporation and Papua New Guinea is close to completion.
The Wewak Stadium and rural clinics built with Chinese assistance were handed over to Papua New Guinea.
The projects of the International Conference Center and the Usino-Yamagi highway proceeded smoothly, and the Mount Hagen Agricultural Technical Cooperation project advanced in an orderly fashion.
The fifth Chinese medical team actively carried out its work in Papua New Guinea. In August, a Chinese naval fleet paid the first visit to Papua New Guinea and received warm welcome from local people.
In December, the Red Cross Society of China provided $50,000 of humanitarian assistance to its Papua New Guinean counterpart for combating cholera.
Posted by: Elvis Dennis | 28 August 2012 at 04:21 PM
Sweet fruits from the cordial relationship between China and PNG are now being felt by the leadership.
And, as the ordinary men, are we also feeling this wind of change blowing through the windows of our Parliament?
I wonder.
Someone explain...
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 13 October 2011 at 08:45 PM