Chinese and PNG leaders commit to closer relationship

6:44 pm on 22 June 2018
Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Peter O'Neill, is greeted with full honours as he arrives to meet China's President Xi Jinping.

Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Peter O'Neill, is greeted with full honours as he arrives to meet China's President Xi Jinping. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister of PNG

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has met with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in Beijing.

Peter O'Neill's visit is part of a trip that's expected to conclude with PNG's signing on to China's One Belt One Road initiative.

During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to take bilateral relations to a new level.

Mr Xi said PNG was an influential Pacific country, noting the mutual political trust and beneficial cooperation between the two.

Mr O'Neill said PNG is committed to deepening its strategic partnership with China, and hopes to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure