On the afternoon of May 30, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and his wife Zhu Lin met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Mekere Morauta and Madame Morauta at the Great Hall of the People.

Li extended a warm welcome to Morauta for his visit. He also appreciated the fact that Morauta attaches great importance to relations with China and has made positive contributions to developing China-PNG relations. He said that the bilateral ties have been going well since Morauta took office as PNG Prime Minister. High-ranking officials of the two sides have frequent exchanges of visits, and bilateral trade is increasing by a big margin. PNG is China's largest trade partner among the South Pacific island countries. Bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation in other sectors have also yielded positive results, while the two countries have supported each other in international and regional affairs.

Li also said that the two parliaments have enhanced exchanges and cooperation. His meeting with Speaker Bernard Narokobi of PNG's National Parliament in China last May has also contributed to the understanding and friendship between the two parliaments and the development of bilateral relations. Both the parliaments have been playing an important role in their respective state affairs, though the two countries have different legislative systems. China’s NPC is ready to strengthen cooperation with the PNG parliament and enhance bilateral exchanges in the legislative field.

Morauta thanked Li for taking time to meet him. He said that the PNG government values its relations with China. Adherence to the “one China” policy is the core of PNG's China policy. The PNG government is willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to achieve a sustained and stable development of the bilateral ties.

As developing countries, PNG and China face the common task of economic development and improving the people's living standards. PNG is ready to further promote trade and economic cooperation with China for the benefits of the two peoples.   Morauta expressed confidence that the agreement on economic and technical cooperation signed between the two governments Tuesday will ensure the advancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.