China attaches importance to its friendly and cooperative relations with Papua New Guinea (PNG), and is ready, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co- Existence, to make concerted efforts with PNG to push forward a healthy and steady development of such relations.
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji made the remark Tuesday afternoon in his talks with Mekere Morauta, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG), who arrived here Monday on a week- long official visit to China as Zhu's guest.
Zhu pointed out that the consolidation and strengthening of friendship and bilateral cooperation conforms to the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the two countries and their peoples.
During the talks, they exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern amid a cordial atmosphere, and reached wide-ranging consensus.
Extending a welcome, Zhu noted that Morauta's current visit to China coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment bilateral diplomatic ties, and it will be an important visit bridging the past and the future in bilateral relations.
Zhu said that in the past 25 years, especially since Morauta became prime minister, Sino-PNG relations have made a series of progresses and revealed a new development momentum.
The two countries have made achievements in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, culture, education and health and between political parties, and they have also conducted good cooperation in international and regional affairs, added Zhu.
Zhu pointed out that the development path of bilateral diplomatic ties has shown that although they have different conditions and have experienced ups and downs, the bilateral relations will continue to move forward healthily and steadily so long as the two sides deal with bilateral ties in line with the norms guiding international relations and the principles enshrined in the communique on the establishment of Sino-PNG diplomatic ties.
China and PNG have enjoyed a good foundation and they are facing new development opportunities in the new century, said Zhu, noting that both China and the PNG are developing countries concentrating on improving their economies and their people’s lives.
He said that PNG is rich in natural resources in terms of minerals, timber and fisheries, and China is a huge market with technologies, adding that their economies are highly complementary and there is vast potential for bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit.
China will expand economic and trade cooperation with PNG on the basis of equality and reciprocity, and continue to provide PNG with assistance, said Zhu.
Echoing Zhu's positive remarks on bilateral ties, Morauta said the fact that China is the destination of his first visit abroad since he became the prime minister indicates that he and his government place importance on developing relations with China.
Morauta said the friendly cooperative relations between PNG and China are based on equality and reciprocity, and it is a challenge for the two sides to ensure a sustained and stable development of bilateral ties and make new breakthroughs in relations.
He said PNG, as a small country, is proud to become a cooperative partner of China. As a developing nation, PNG is willing to enhance cooperation with China in diverse sectors including trade, mining, fisheries, science and technology and the forestry, he added.
"My entourage this time includes PNG business representatives, and I believe their exchanges and cooperation with their Chinese colleagues will further the advancement of bilateral ties," said Morauta.
He thanked the Chinese government for the help it has rendered to PNG in times of difficulty, and reiterated the PNG government's adherence to the "one China" policy and commitment not to have any official contact with Taiwan.
Morauta conveyed an invitation to Zhu to visit PNG, to which Zhu responded with thanks.
After the talks, Zhu and Morauta oversaw the signing of an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two governments.
Prior to the talks, Zhu presided over a welcoming ceremony for Morauta who arrived here Monday on a weeklong official visit to China as Zhu's guest.
(Xinhua 05/29/2001)
