Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with Mekere Morauta, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG), at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of May 29, 2001, during which they exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern amid a cordial atmosphere, and reached extensive consensus.

Extending warm welcome to Marauta and his wife, Zhu noted that Morauta's current official visit to China coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, and it will be an important visit in the sense of bridging the past and the future in bilateral relations.
 
Zhu said that in the past 25 years, especially since Morauta became Prime Minister, Sino-PNG relations have made a series of progresses and accumulated a new development momentum.  The two countries have made achievements in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, culture, education and health and between political parties, and they have also conducted good cooperation in international and regional affairs.  
 
Zhu pointed out that the development path of bilateral diplomatic ties has shown that although they have different national conditions and bilateral ties have experienced ups and downs, bilateral relations will continue to move forward healthily and steadily so long as the two sides deal with bilateral ties in line with the norms guiding international relations and the principles enshrined in the Communique on the Establishment of Sino-PNG Diplomatic Relations.

Zhu said that relations between China and PNG have enjoyed a good foundation and are facing new development opportunities in the new century, noting that both China and the PNG are developing countries concentrating on improving their economies and their people's lives. He said that PNG is rich in natural resources in terms of minerals, timber and fisheries, and China is a huge market with technologies, adding that their economies are highly complementary and there is vast potential for bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit. He emphasized that China will expand economic and trade cooperation with PNG on the basis of equality and reciprocity, and continue to provide PNG with assistance within its capacity.
 
Zhu pointed out that the consolidation and strengthening of friendship and bilateral cooperation conforms to the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the two countries and their peoples. China attaches importance to its friendly and cooperative relations with PNG, and stands ready to make concerted efforts with PNG to push forward a healthy and steady development of such relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence.

Echoing Zhu's positive remarks on bilateral ties, Morauta said the fact that China is the destination of his first visit abroad since he became the Prime Minister indicates that he and his government place importance on developing relations with China.  

Morauta said the friendly and cooperative relations between PNG and China are based on equality and reciprocity, and it is a challenge for the two sides to ensure a sustained and stable development of bilateral ties and make new breakthroughs in relations. He said PNG, as a small country, is proud to become a cooperative partner of China. As a developing nation, PNG is willing to enhance cooperation with China in diverse sectors including trade, mining, fisheries, science and technology and the forestry. He added that his entourage this time includes PNG business representatives, and he believes their exchanges and cooperation with their Chinese colleagues will help to further bilateral ties.
 
He thanked the Chinese government for the help it has rendered to PNG in times of difficulty, and reiterated the PNG government's adherence to the "One China" policy and commitment not to have any official contact with Taiwan.
 
Morauta extended an invitation to Zhu to visit PNG at his convenience, to which Zhu responded with thanks.
 
After the talks, Zhu and Morauta oversaw the signing of an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two governments.