On February 4, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Acting Foreign Minister and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Rainbo Paita at the latter's request.
Wang Yi said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, the two countries have respected and trusted each other and always supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. The bilateral relations have set a good example for friendly exchanges between China and Pacific island countries. China and PNG are sincere friends and trustworthy cooperative partners to each other. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have worked hand in hand to fight the pandemic, and the friendship between the two countries has been further sublimated. China is ready to enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG Infrastructure Development Program 2020-2040 to help the economic recovery in PNG. The Chinese government supports Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in PNG, and hopes PNG will continue to provide an open, fair and friendly business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Wang Yi said, China appreciates the PNG government's firm adherence to the one-China policy, and firmly supports its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and explore a development path suited to its national conditions. China is ready to work with PNG to continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. China supports PNG in playing a more important role on the international and regional stage, and attaches importance to and understands the special concerns and legitimate appeals of PNG and other Pacific island countries on the issue of climate change. China is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with PNG on global climate governance.
Wang Yi said, China is taking concrete actions to fulfill its commitment to making vaccines a global public good and is ready to try its best to provide assistance. China has decided to provide PNG with a batch of vaccines to help the country overcome the pandemic completely.
Rainbo Paita congratulated on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and appreciated the major achievements China has made in various undertakings. Paita said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The government and people of PNG sincerely thanked China for its decision to provide vaccine assistance to PNG and spoke highly of China's positive contribution to helping the country in fighting against the pandemic and economy recovery. The bilateral relations between PNG and China are mutually beneficial, friendly and sincere. PNG firmly pursues the one-China policy and stands ready to deepen mutually beneficial and practical cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthen communication and coordination with China on climate change and other international issues.