Image: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill – China Plus
By Isaiah Tare, EMTV Cadet Journalist
After a bilateral agreement between PNG Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Papua New Guinea’s Minister responsible for APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, addressed China’s stance in Papua New Guinea.
“China has contributed significantly to the success of this APEC year- infrastructure, development and aid funding in respect to the roads, boulevards, convention centres and their legacy projects that will definitely benefit our people now and into the future,” the minister assured local media today.
China’s global $US 1 trillion (K 3.4 trillion) Belt and Road Infrastructure (BRI) building program in Papua New Guinea has reached more than $US 1 billion ( K3.4 billion) in investments and aid.
China’s investment and aid in the form of concessional loans to developing countries in Africa and Asia-Pacific has become increasingly alarming for capitalist countries like Australia and the United States.
Newly-built bridges and roads within Port Moresby like the Independence Boulevard have the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) logo on them and the Chinese Aid insignia.
This has raised concern among PNG citizens of this country and Papua New Guinea’s closest ally and number one foreign aid provider, Australia.
Minister Tkatchenko also responded to Australian politicians who have warned that China is building its economic relationship with PNG to access its wealth of mineral and energy resources.
“We are a sovereign country, no other county controls Papua New Guinea…China is a friend and partner of PNG. The Chinese Foreign Minister is here to support the One Belt Road initiative. Australia supports One China policy and so does PNG”
