China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Xi vows support for Asia-Pacific
President lands in PNG for visit, APEC meeting
China will work with Papua New Guinea for a successful meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group and make more contributions to the economic growth of the AsiaPacific and the world, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.
Xi made the remark in a written statement on arrival at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, capital of PNG.
Xi said that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and China’s development has provided PNG and other Pacific island nations with historic opportunities.
During the trip, he will make a state visit to PNG, attend the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and also meet with leaders of Pacific island countries that have established diplomatic ties with China to discuss cooperation plans.
Xi’s visit to PNG will guide the relationship between the two countries to a new historic height, said Xue Bing, China’s ambassador to the country.
“It will be the first visit by a Chinese head of state since the two countries established diplomatic ties 42 years ago, which bears far-reaching significance,” said Xue in a written interview with China Daily.
Xue said the bilateral relationship has developed in a stable way over the decades and high-level exchanges have drawn them close in recent years, with political mutual trust continuously deepening.
In June, PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill met with Xi during his visit to Beijing and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with China on Belt and Road construction, becoming the first Pacific island country to have such a deal with China.
Xue said great efforts are required to enhance infrastructure construction and boost interconnectivity to develop the country’s economy, and “participation in construction of the Belt and Road will help to attract Chinese capital and technologies to meet such needs”.
“Located along the extension route of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, PNG is an important partner in production capacity cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
The upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be the first time PNG has hosted the event after joining the organization in 1993. “We believe the PNG government and its people are able to host a successful APEC meeting with unique features,” Xue said.
It is a great event for PNG and also the Pacific island region, and will further promote the country’s position and influence in global and regional affairs, he added.
PNG is also a major destination for Chinese enterprises to expand overseas. According to Chinese trade authorities, bilateral trade volume between China and PNG reached $2.84 billion in 2017, 24.4 percent higher than the previous year.
There are nearly 40 Chinese enterprises in PNG, offering jobs to more than 8,000 local people, the ambassador said. The enterprises also have participated in disaster relief work and made donations after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the country in February.
“Chinese companies have won the trust of the PNG government and its people through their own efforts, which helps promote the two-way friendship and lays a solid foundation for the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties,” he said.
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — The International Convention Center where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation senior officials’ meeting was held on Monday and Tuesday is a building with a distinctive Papua New Guinean style.
The pillars bear carvings of PNG traditional patterns, while the cavernous meeting room at the center is adorned with a tribal totem. But taking a closer look on the exterior wall, one can find a red sign reading: China aid.
According to the local Post-Courier newspaper, China spent about $21.2 million to build the center, which was opened in 2016. The Chinese government later gave some $6.1 million to the PNG for the center’s maintenance.
“I quite like this center,” said Paul Kasokason, the center’s meeting rooms coordinator. “It is quite comfortable, with modern facilities including remote functioning equipment to control light and projection.”
“China helped us a lot in the modernization of Port Moresby,” he said.
Apart from the convention center, China also funded a six-lane highway in Port Moresby linking the convention center and the nearby National Parliament, among other projects.
Amanda Tau runs a handicraft booth at the APEC 2018 International Media Center. Three of her cousins are in China, working or studying. She hopes to visit China and asked Xinhua reporters if she could browse photos to see China’s scenery.
“China gave us a lot of aid,” she said. “I can see Chinese people running businesses everywhere.”
The 28-year-old owner of Pacificana said Chinese businessmen gave her some good advice. “The Chinese are among the most successful businessmen,” she said. “They work together and help each other.”
Sharon Dua also expressed her gratitude for Chinese aid.
The 23-year-old student, a volunteer at the media center, approached Xinhua reporters to ask if she could help them hail a shuttle bus.
“I am thankful to China,” she said. “A road here was built by the Chinese government.”
Hotel employee Davara Uru has great interest in the Chinese culture. To prepare for the APEC meeting, she learned not only some simple Chinese expressions, but also a bit about Chinese culture and etiquette.
“China has a deep culture which has never faded, and people are proud of that,” she said.
Wu Jingru came to Port Moresby five years ago, and she has seen the number of Chinese people increasing. “There are more shops now,” said the 19-year-old.
With more interaction with the Chinese, Papua New Guineans are increasingly interested in China.
Kasokason plans to travel to China after the APEC meeting. “I will first go to Beijing,” he said. “It will be good if our countries maintain this relationship.”