Direct Flights Between PNG And China To Enhance Business, Tourism

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the direct air links established between PNG and China later this year will enhance business and education opportunities.
Mr O’Neill made the remark when China’s Ambassador to PNG Xue Bing called on his office last Friday.
“People-to-people engagement is also vital to growing our friendship, and we are seeing increased travel between our two countries.
“When direct air links are established between Port Moresby and Shanghai later this year we will have even more opportunities to strengthen business and education exchanges. “Direct flights will also open up more opportunities for Chinese tourists to visit Papua New Guinea in the years and decades to come,” Mr O’Neill said.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed development issues of mutual importance and the upcoming visit by China’s President during the APEC Summit in November 2018.
“Papua New Guinea remains firmly committed to our One-China Policy, and growing the friendship that was established with diplomatic relations in 1976,” Prime Minister O’Neill said.
“The strength of our bilateral relationship is based on respect and a common interest in economic and community development. “Papua New Guinea and China have a strategic partnership of mutual co-operation and common development that provides a basis for advancing projects that enhance the standard of living in communities,” he said.
The Prime Minister said a number of projects are underway with the support of China, and he looks forward to discussing these with President Xi in November 2018.
“Through the APEC year we will receive more than a thousand delegates from China culminating with the State visit by President Xi Jinping during the APEC Summit. “This will be the first visit by China’s President and will mark a new chapter in cooperation and business between our countries. “Our Government and people look forward to welcoming President Xi to Papua New Guinea, and giving him and his delegation the opportunity to see the diversity of our country and the development taking place.”
(Source: Papua New Guinea Today 24 August 2017)