China

Shenzhen to House New Trade Mission

“To have a trade mission in China is a very historic decision made by our Government and I am very pleased that the trade mission will be in Shenzhen,” said the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru.

Shenzhen transformed itself from a small fishing village into a global economic powerhouse in just over 40 years.

It had experienced rapid economic, social, and environmental transformation and is described as innovative, inclusive, young, high-tech, and a green city.

Finalizing negotiations for trade office

He also praised the Government for hosting the inaugural PNG-Asia Investment forum in Hong Kong and opening of a trade mission in Shenzhen, in the Republic of China.

A team will visit Shenzhen in the coming weeks to finalize  negotiations on the office space for the trade mission and to cost out the whole setup and operation.

The position of the trade commissioner will be advertised  as soon as possible.

Governor Wang strengthens PNG-China ties

The visit holds immense potential for fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and mutually beneficial partnerships between the two regions.

Guandong Province, often hailed as China's "economic powerhouse," boasts the fastest-growing economy among all thirty-one provinces in the country.

Situated on the southern coast, the province is home to Shenzhen City, which shares sister-city status with Port Moresby. With a staggering population exceeding 128 million, Shenzhen City stands as China's most populous city province.

“China’s presence not a security threat”

State Counselor and Foreign Minister for China, Qin Gang, has raised China’s concerns on the proposed PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Treaty and its intended purposes. 

Gang reiterated that China’s presence in the Pacific is not a security threat and went on to seek reassurance that the purported bilateral security arrangement with Australia was not in some way seeking to counter China’s influence in PNG and the Pacific. 

TikTok to be banned from Australian government devices

Key points:

  • The Victorian government says it will work with its federal counterparts to adopt restrictions to TikTok on government devices
  • Similar decisions have been made by governments in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand
  • TikTok has fiercely denied its app poses a national security risk

Australia becomes the last nation in the "five eyes" intelligence alliance to block the app, following similar decisions by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

‘Reciprocal Visa Exemption’ approved after years

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, said this meant that all officials, members and hierarchy of China and Indonesia can come into PNG through Visa on arrival.

He stated that this is what China is doing for PNG and what Indonesia is already doing in Indonesia.

Omicron outbreak in China

Key points:

  • Chen Erzhen says his hospital in Shanghai sees 1,600 emergency admissions daily, with 80 per cent COVID-19 patients
  • Chinese officials are bracing for rising numbers in rural areas as Lunar New Year approaches 
  • More than a dozen countries have imposed restrictions on travellers from China

The steep rise in infections came after years of hardline restrictions were abruptly loosened last month, with little warning or preparation, and quickly overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.

Gov’t plans for Shanghai-POM direct flight

Prime Minister James Marape made this announcement recently when welcoming the Bank of China officials in Port Moresby.

He told visiting officials from the Bank of China, that amongst our highest trade priorities is the immediate arrangements for direct flights from Shanghai to Port Moresby.

“Our Government is looking for a Chinese Airline that can service the route under a Code Share arrangement with our national airline, Air Niugini.”

Shanghai lockdown: China eases Covid restrictions after two months

At midnight local time (16:00 GMT Tuesday), restrictions were relaxed to allow most people to move freely around the city of some 25 million people.

But at least 650,000 residents will remain confined to their homes.

China's overall policy of "zero Covid" remains in place and people catching Covid face quarantine or hospital.

Their close contacts also face the prospect of removal to quarantine and the area immediately around where they live being locked down again.

China claims arrests of human traffickers in chained woman case

Three people have been arrested in connection with the case.

A video of the mother-of-eight sparked massive anger online when it emerged two weeks ago.

Officials first dismissed trafficking claims, but outraged netizens had kept up pressure, with some making daily calls for investigation.

Many of them also raised suspicions about kidnapping and abuse.

Even the hype around the Beijing Olympics has failed to distract people from the issue - a Weibo topic on the woman's plight has received more than 3bn views since the news first emerged.