On April 20, 2024 local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Tkachenko in Port Moresby. Wang Yi said that China has always viewed and attached importance to the role of PNG from a strategic perspective. In the Pacific island countries, PNG has the largest area, the largest population, the best resources, and is located in the connecting zone between Oceania and Southeast Asia. China has always developed bilateral relations from a long-term perspective. The development of China-PNG relations to this day is the result of the joint leadership of successive generations of leaders of the two countries and the joint efforts of friendly people from all walks of life in the two countries. China is ready to work with PNG to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and build a comprehensive strategic partnership of higher level and quality. We will continue to treat PNG as equals, firmly support PNG in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national unity, accelerate national rejuvenation and improve people's livelihood, and play a greater role in regional and multilateral affairs. Wang Yi said that PNG is an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, and has been invited to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation for two consecutive years and has made positive contributions. The two sides have drawn up a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative and established a working mechanism, which should be implemented and pushed forward one by one around the central task of development cooperation, so as to ensure that the results of cooperation can be seen as soon as possible and benefit the people of PNG as soon as possible. China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with PNG, start negotiations on a free trade agreement as soon as possible, strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, clean energy, and climate change response, and create new highlights in information and communication technology, disaster prevention and mitigation, and police cooperation, so as to push bilateral relations to a new level. Wang Yi stressed that as a developing country, China and the South Pacific island countries are committed to supporting and helping each other to achieve common development, without any geopolitical self-interest. The South Pacific region should not become an arena for the game of great powers, and no country should regard the island countries as its "backyard", and should not engage in zero-sum games and exclusive arrangements, but should do more practical things for the island countries and bring more benefits to the people of the island countries.
Tkachenko said that China is a close friend of PNG, the leaders of the two countries have maintained close communication and established a high degree of mutual trust, and bilateral cooperation in various fields is progressing smoothly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. The PNG Government has long adhered to and will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy, and understands and supports China's efforts to achieve national reunification. PNG is committed to promoting greater development of bilateral relations, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, education, police affairs, and disaster prevention and mitigation, so as to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese side for its selfless assistance to PNG in dealing with the recent floods. PNG believes that China's cooperation with South Pacific island countries has promoted regional development, attaches importance to China's important role and fair position in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
After the talks, the foreign ministers of the two countries jointly attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation documents.