GUANGDONG Province and Papua New Guinea pledged to develop bilateral relations to a new high.

While meeting with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on Friday, Li Xi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said the development of bilateral relations between China and Papua New Guinea have achieved historic progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 42 years ago.

China is willing to work together with Papua New Guinea to promote political mutual trust, deepen party to party communication and broaden mutually beneficial cooperation, Li said, adding Guangdong Province is also willing to consolidate cooperation with Papua New Guinea and push forward the bilateral ties to a new high.

For his part, O’Neill said his country is a good friend of China and the development of bilateral ties between the two countries have enjoyed strong momentum.

The prime minister thanked China’s strong support for PNG’s hosting of the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November this year.

He said his country is willing to join hands with Guangdong Province to expand cooperation in all fields including economy and trade, energy, people to people exchanges and tourism within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative so as to press for new progress in the development of bilateral ties.

Li paid a visit to Papua New Guinea from Friday to Sunday at the invitation of the government of Papua New Guinea. 

(Xinhua)