China, PNG pledge to further boost ties, cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Oct. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

China and Papua New Guinea (PNG) vowed on Wednesday to further develop the relations between the two countries and strengthen cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

When meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said PNG is a key and close friend of China among the Pacific island nations.

Bilateral relations have reached the all-time high since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he said, reiterating PNG's adherence to the one-China policy.

China was among the first countries which supported PNG in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting this year and rendered PNG assistance in this regard, according to the prime minister.

Expressing firm support to the Belt and Road Initiative, O'Neill hoped that cooperation under the China-proposed initiative could promoted PNG's economy as well as common development of the Pacific island nations.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, proposed in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.

For his part, Wang said the upcoming APEC meeting in Port Moresby is a major event for the Pacific island nations, and China wished the meeting a success and will continue to offer help to PNG.

Noting that PNG was the first among the Pacific island nations to sign cooperation agreements with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, he said China welcomes the attendance of Prime Minister O'Neill at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held next year in China.

China is willing to expand cooperation with PNG in trade, investment, industrial capacity and education under the Belt and Road Initiative so as to help the country achieve sustainable development and common development of the Pacific island nations, he added.

The Chinese top diplomat stressed that China has abided by the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs of other countries and no-attachment of political strings regarding foreign aid.

In a separate meeting with PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, Wang underscored the important position of PNG in China's neighborhood diplomacy, saying China is willing to become a lasting and trustworthy friend and partner of PNG.

Wang said China would like to strengthen cooperation with the Pacific island country on joint construction of the Road and Belt, investment, agriculture and industrial modernization so as to help transfer PNG's resources potentials for the country's development.

Minister Pato is also welcome to attend the upcoming China International Import Expo scheduled for next month in Shanghai and China expects more distinctive PNG imports, he added.

Pato expressed the willingness of his country to learn from China's experiences on poverty alleviation and development.

PNG also hopes to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China on trade and investment, energy and resources as well as infrastructure, he said.

NO THREAT TO ANY COUNTRY

China's development poses no threat to any country, Wang Yi told a joint press conference after the meeting.

Responding to a reporter's question, Wang said China's development itself is a just cause in human development and progress as nearly 1.4 billion people have got rid of poverty and moved towards modernization, which is the greatest contribution to all mankind.

China's development has been playing an important and active role in maintaining world peace and stability, Wang said.

China's development is also an integral part of the overall development of developing countries, and every country in the world has the right to develop, the Chinese state councilor said.

Any attempt to stop or deprive the developing countries of their right to develop themselves is the worst historical injustice and will surely leave a disgraced record in the history, Wang said.

For his part, Pato said that China's development has set a good example for PNG and other developing countries and made significant contributions to economic and social development of PNG and other South Pacific island nations as well as brought huge benefits to their peoples.

"China's development has never posed any threat to us, and PNG wishes China will continue to play an important role in the South Pacific islands region," he said.

REJECTS FALSE CLAIM

China's foreign aid is carried out on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, openness and sustainability, said Wang Yi when responding to a question about some Western countries and media's claim that China's aid for Pacific island countries caused debt burden for them.

China's aid for Pacific island countries is in fact the mutual support and assistance between developing countries, and is an important part of South-South cooperation, Wang said.

China's foreign aid is offered on an equal basis, with full respect for the will of the governments and people of the recipient countries. It comes without interfering in their domestic affairs or any political strings attached, he said.

China always ensures that the foreign aid is mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the financial sustainability of the recipients when carrying out aid projects, he added.

China offers foreign aid in an open manner, not for targeting any third party but for making the pie of cooperation bigger, he said, adding that China is willing to carry out third party cooperation with other countries.

Moreover, China's foreign aid is sustainable, aiming at empowering the recipients to overcome their development bottlenecks and achieve self-supported and sustainable development, he said.

China always uphold the right approach to justice and interests with a priority to justice. This approach can stand the test of time and the judgment of the international community, said Wang.

Those who criticize China's good deeds should rather do more themselves to help the Pacific island countries, he added.