Li Qiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape

On the afternoon of October 16, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to China.

Li Qiang said that over the past 47 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Papua New Guinea, bilateral relations have grown rapidly, and have been a forerunner in China's development cooperation with Pacific island countries. President Xi Jinping will hold meetings with Prime Minister James Marape, jointly drawing a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to continue to be Papua New Guinea's sincere friend to further deepen and expand mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, create a brighter future, and benefit the people of the two countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is ready to work with Papua New Guinea to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, and firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. China will further align development strategies in a targeted manner, expand cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, construction of special economic zones, and processing industries involving agriculture, forestry and fishery, and achieve more practical results within the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which will play a leading and exemplary role in Belt and Road cooperation between China and Pacific island countries. China is ready to work with Papua New Guinea for the early convening of a new round of joint economic and trade committee meeting, accelerate the advancement of a joint feasibility study on a bilateral free trade agreement, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation in education, tourism and localities, among others. The two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation within such multilateral mechanisms as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, deepen South-South cooperation on climate response, boost the sustainable development of Pacific island countries and jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

James Marape said that China leads the development of the Global South countries and is an important cooperation partner of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea highly appreciates the great development achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and thanks China for providing Papua New Guinea with strong support in realizing its national development. Papua New Guinea is committed to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, and stands ready to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, agriculture, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so as to constantly advance the development of bilateral relations.

After the talks, Premier Li and Prime Minister James Marape jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economy, energy, education, climate response, and sustainable development, among others.

Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for James Marape at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People

Wu Zhenglong attended the above events.