Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, says PNG will remain committed to the one China Policy.
He said this during the handing over of the International Convention Centre and the launch of the China-Aid APEC Road Projects.
O’Neill said since the country’s birth, PNG has remained committed to the One China Policy.
It was a colourful event with song and dance as the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Xue Bing, and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill arrived for the ceremony, accompanied by Ministers and senior Government officials.
In his keynote address, the Prime Minister said the infrastructure projects were a testament to the strong relationship PNG has had with China since independence.
“Png and China have a strong and productive relationship. Papua New Guinea in its early stages of independence was one of the first country’s to have a strong bilateral relationship with China over 40 years ago. Our relationship is based on respect, shard belief in the progress of development, that is why Papua New Guinea has maintained a One China Policy since Independence. That commitment will continue to stand as we speak,” said O’Neill which was received with an applause.
The ICC will host major APEC related meetings leading up to November while the China-Aid APEC Road Projects include two major road projects in the NCD.
Ambassador, Xue Bing, said these gifts demonstrate their confidence in PNG hosting major events.
“These projects fully demonstrate the strong support and confidence from the Chinese Government to the PNG Government to host a unique and successful APEC meeting here in Port Moresby in November, conveying friendly sentiment from the Chinese people to the PNG people,” said Ambassador Bing.
Minister for AEC, Justine Tkatchenko, said the ICC will host the Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) that will be held next month.
He said the continued assistance reinforced their commitment to assisting PNG prepare for APEC.
“To the Chinese Government thank you very much for your consistent appreciation to APEC and Papua New Guinea. APEC moving forward is growing in leaps and bounds,” said Tkatchenko.
The ICC has, among other features, a seating capacity of 700 people, 10 27-seat conference rooms, a temporary office for the Prime Minister, private meeting rooms as well as a Banquet Halll.
The two new road projects include the Poreporena Highway rehabilitation and a new six-lane Government Boulevard linking Waigani Drive and Parliament House.