Prime Minister James Marape will not be traveling to France as initially planned. He returns to the country today due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Prime Minister returned a positive test result for COVID-19 upon arrival in Beijing on Thursday 3rd January, 2022.
Nonetheless, he has hailed the visit to the People’s Republic of China, a successful one.
The Prime Minister met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in an historic Saturday evening virtual meeting.
During this meeting the two leaders reaffirmed and announced a significant list of deliverables which included:
(1) Protocol on Inspections, Quarantine and Phytosanitary requirements for Wild Marine Fishing Aquatic products from PNG to be exported to China;
(2) Protocol of Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Edible Aquatic Animals from PNG to be exported to China;
(3) MoU between Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock;
(4) Signed Exchange of Letters on China Aid Juncao Technical and Upland Rice Technology Corporation Project to PNG Phase 2;
(5) Signing of Government Concessional Loan on PNG Power 132 KVA Grid Project Second Phase from Mt Hagen to Yonki;
(6) Completion of China/PNG Free Trade Agreement Joint Feasibility Study and Commencement of Negotiations;
(7) Agreement to Convene in 2022 the Second Session of the China/PNG Joint Economic and Trade Committee Meeting;
(8) Completion in 2022, the China/PNG aided Anti-Narcotics Laboratory in PNG;
(9) Commemoration in 2022, the 20th Year of China Medical Team visits to PNG; and
(10) Inauguration in 2022 the China/PNG Friendship Centre of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Port Moresby General Hospital.
The Prime Minister said, “These are significant deliverables to a very productive, albeit short visit to China. These deliverables present market opportunities, growth in economic cooperation, future opportunities in trade and some very specific projects.”
“The future eventuality of a Free Trade Agreement between China and Papua New Guinea will be significant. It will be our first from a country to country perspective. The inauguration of the commencement of negotiations following the completion of the feasibility study is a significant step,” he said.