The President of China, Xi Jinping, will be invited to attend an Official State visit to Papua New Guinea when he attends the APEC Summit in November 2018.
The matter was raised during a meeting between Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and China’s new Ambassador, Xue Bing, in Port Moresby.
Prime Minister O’Neill said relations with China is built on strong historical foundations and provides the basis for deepening this engagement.
PM O’Neill said China and Papua New Guinea will further continue working together in other global forums.
“Our countries have shared interests in many of the major challenges facing the world today,” said PM O’Neill.
Papua New Guinea also shares similar views to China in relation to United Nations reform, in that the current UN model must evolve with the needs of the global community.
PM O’Neill said the strengthening of people-to-people engagement is vital to growing the relationship.
“While Papua New Guinea and China formalised bilateral relations in 1976, our two Nations have long historical links through trade.
“For more than 200 years, Chinese people have come to our country and been involved in business.
“In the coming years we will continue to deepen this interaction between our countries with the establishment of direct flights between Port Moresby and Shanghai.
“This increased ease of travel will provide a further gateway to expand business and tourism, and also to establish more student exchanges.”
