China and Papua New Guinea Pledge to Strengthen Bilateral Practical Cooperation for Mutual Development

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed his counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea (PNG), to Xiamen on Thursday during the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. In a ceremony underscoring the deepening ties between China and Papua New Guinea, both ministers pledged to further elevate their bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Describing the relationship as “a valuable asset forged across mountains and seas and tested by time,” Wang Yi highlighted the consistent progress made under the guidance of successive leaders from both nations. “China and PNG have become trusted friends, reliable partners in development, and close brothers in international affairs,” he remarked. The meeting took on added significance as Wang congratulated PNG on its 50th year of independence and noted that next year will also mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Looking ahead, Wang called on both sides to reflect on their shared successes and collaboratively chart the course for the next half-century. He proposed the early initiation of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement and advocated for the full implementation of existing agreements reached by their leaders. These measures, Wang said, would further unlock the potential of their partnership and bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

The Chinese foreign minister also emphasized the broader regional context, noting the achievements of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to building a community with a shared future alongside Pacific Island nations and singled out PNG’s “unique role as a major country in the South Pacific and a gateway to Asia.” Wang pledged that China would actively cooperate with PNG and other island nations to advance the outcomes of the meeting and foster peace and development throughout the region.

For his part, Minister Tkatchenko reiterated PNG’s unwavering commitment to the one-China policy and voiced full support for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He expressed the hope to bolster cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. “We are eager to deepen practical collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, education, telecommunications, energy, and local development,” Tkatchenko said, emphasizing their importance for the sustainable growth of PNG.

Wang Yi responded by expressing appreciation for PNG’s steadfast adherence to the one-China principle. Referring to the geographic proximity of Xiamen and Taiwan’s Kinmen Island, Wang underlined that “no one longs for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits more earnestly than we do.” He asserted that “the two sides of the Straits belong to one China – this is not only historical fact but present reality.”

Reaffirming China’s position, Wang declared that realizing national reunification remains a long-standing aspiration of the Chinese nation and is now an “unstoppable historical trend.” He strongly condemned what he termed “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, calling them unconstitutional and contrary to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Wang stressed that such actions defy the international consensus on the one-China principle and will be opposed by the global community.

The talks concluded with both countries expressing optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation and supporting each other’s core interests, setting the stage for deepened engagement in the coming years.