On 12 October, H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Chinese Ambassador to PNG publishes a byline article to PNG's media Post-Courier and The National entitled "Working Together to Write a New Chapter in China-PNG Relations -- Warmly Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and PNG". The full text is as follows:

On 12 October 1976, then Chinese Premier Hua Guofeng and then Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Michael Somare signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People’s Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea in Beijing. The two sides agreed to develop diplomatic relations, friendship and cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Today, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of China-PNG diplomatic relations.

Over the past 50 years, the friendship between China and PNG, transcending mountains and seas, has withstood the test of time and become a cherished asset for both peoples. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries and through the concerted efforts of friends from all sectors, we have built three pillars supporting the sound and steady development of the China-PNG Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The first pillar is political mutual trust.

China has always regarded PNG as a good friend, good partner and good brother. We have always upheld the “four full respects” policy with regard to the sovereignty and independence, will, cultural traditions and efforts to seek strength through unity when forging ties with PNG. China firmly supports PNG in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and achieving independent revitalization.

China and PNG have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. All PNG friends have firmly adhered to the one-China principle and supported all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification and safeguard territorial integrity. In July this year, the PNG government announced closing down the “Taipei Economic Office in PNG,” which fully demonstrates the PNG government’s positive willingness to adhere to the one-China principle and develop relations with China. China highly appreciates this. Our two sides have also maintained sound coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, APEC and the Pacific Islands Forum.

In recent years, high-level exchanges between China and PNG have become increasingly close. In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to PNG. In 2025, President Xi Jinping’s Special Envoy, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu, attended the celebration of the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence. Prime Minister James Marape visited China three times in 2022, 2023 and 2026. The foreign ministers of our two countries have exchanged visits on multiple occasions, and high-level delegations have maintained frequent exchanges. The active and friendly engagements between our high-level officials have further deepened political mutual trust and continuously consolidated the political foundation for the development of bilateral relations between our two sides.

The second pillar is practical cooperation.

PNG is the first Pacific island country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China, as well as China’s largest trading partner, largest investment destination and largest recipient of assistance in the Pacific island region. Over the past 50 years, China has consistently provided assistance to PNG within its capacity, in accordance with the principles of no political strings attached, non-interference in internal affairs and no empty promises. China fully respects PNG’s will and actual needs, and sincerely supports PNG’s development.

Over the past 50 years, China has provided substantial assistance to PNG, constructing a large number of projects including roads, schools, sports venues, hospitals, submarine cables, power grids, and the digital television system. A large number of China-aided projects, such as the Sir John Guise Stadium, the Spring Highway, the International Convention Center, the Independence Boulevard, the Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, the National Power Grid in the Highlands and the Kumul Submarine Cable Network along the coast, have provided crucial support for PNG’s economic and social development.

Over the past 50 years, the value of China-PNG trade in goods has grown from less than 100 million Kina to nearly 20 billion Kina, with PNG consistently maintaining a substantial trade surplus. In recent years, China has actively opened its doors to welcome high-quality agricultural and fishery products from PNG into the Chinese market. This year, the two sides signed the Framework Agreement on Enhancing Economic Partnership, actively explored free trade arrangements, and successfully held the Business Roundtable in Guangdong, laying a solid foundation for deepening trade cooperation.

Over the past 50 years, an increasing number of Chinese enterprises have invested and established operations in PNG, spanning a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, energy and minerals, electricity, telecommunications, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese enterprises have created nearly 50,000 direct local jobs, and more indirect local jobs henceforth. Chinese enterprises have adhered to the principles of integrity and compliance with the law, actively given back to society, and made significant contributions to PNG’s economic and social development.

China has dispatched Juncao and upland rice expert teams to PNG for 26 consecutive years, and has provided PNG with numerous training opportunities in agriculture, livestock husbandry, and aquaculture each year. China has sent medical teams to PNG for 24 consecutive years and has arranged for medical ships to visit PNG three times. China has also provided support to PNG in areas such as disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as law enforcement. The practical cooperation between China and PNG has brought tangible benefits to both countries and peoples.

The third pillar is friendship between our two peoples.

The ties between the peoples of China and PNG span millennia, and the friendship between the two sides has deep historical roots. Thousands of years ago, the people who lived along China’s southeastern coast crossed the ocean and went southward, and became the Austronesian people who inhabit many island nations including today’s PNG. More than a century ago, Chinese people arrived in PNG and gradually integrated into the local communities. Over the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the bonds and friendship between our two peoples have continued to deepen.

China has provided PNG with the Chinese Government Scholarship and various scholarship programs for 41 consecutive years, as well as more than 100 training programs every year, benefiting thousands of PNG friends. Many universities from China have established cooperative ties with PNG universities. The Confucius Institute at the PNG University of Technology and the Confucius Classroom at the Butuka Academy serve as a window for younger generations in PNG to learn Chinese language and know more about China. More than 10 pairs of Chinese and PNG sister-provinces and sister-cities relationships have been established, with exchanges and cooperation continuously deepening. In recent years, many local art troupes from China visited PNG and showcased Chinese culture and art to Papua New Guineans. Launched in 2023, the direct flight operated by China Southern Airlines from Guangzhou to Port Moresby is the first commercial direct flight between the mainland of China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It has greatly facilitated people-to-people exchanges and witnessed the ever-deepening friendship between our two countries.

Over the past 50 years, the China-PNG Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has achieved fruitful outcomes, setting a fine example of solidarity, collaboration and win-win cooperation between developing countries. The history of our relations gives us four important inspirations.

First, mutual respect. Equality and mutual respect form the foundation and prerequisite for the development of China-PNG relations. China advocates that all countries, regardless of their size, are equal. We have always regarded PNG as a significant partner and close friend, enhanced the exchanges between our two countries on equal footing, and firmly support PNG in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests. PNG has firmly upheld the one-China principle, becoming China’s respected and reliable partner.

Second, mutual benefit. Mutual benefit is an important safeguard for the development of China-PNG relations. As a developing country and a member of the Global South, China is always a reliable, long-term cooperation partner of the developing countries, including PNG, as well as a steadfast contributor to global development. We are committed to providing assistance to PNG within our capacity, welcome more high-quality PNG products into the Chinese market, and encourage Chinese companies to invest and operate in PNG. We also support PNG in creating a better environment for pragmatic cooperation between our two countries.

Third, openness and inclusiveness. An open and inclusive Pacific region creates a good environment for the development of China-PNG relations. China always believes that the Pacific Ocean is large enough to accommodate win-win cooperation among all countries. The Pacific region should not become an arena of big power rivalry, and no country should treat the island countries as its “backyard”. The international community should support PICs’ independent choice of development cooperation partners. We are happy to see the international community provide more support to the region, to help PNG and other PICs better handle the most urgent issues, such as addressing climate change, promoting economic development, improving people’s livelihoods and maintaining social stability.

Fourth, exchanges and mutual learning. Our traditional friendship and strong bonds of affection have laid a solid people-to-people foundation for the development of China-PNG relations. Chinese civilization and PNG’s diverse cultures are both precious world heritages. Our two sides attach great importance to exchanges and cooperation in areas including education, culture, media, think tanks, youth, women, sports and subnational cooperation. Through exchanges and mutual learning, we have deepened mutual understanding and support and have further strengthened the friendship between our two peoples.

Whether in the past, present, or future, friendship and cooperation have always been the foundation of China-PNG relations. Standing at this new starting point, we will work hand in hand to pass on our friendship to future generations, and promote the continuous deepening of the China-PNG Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

First, consolidate the political foundation. China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with PNG at all levels and continue to firmly respect each other’s core interests and major concerns. We welcome Prime Minister James Marape’s visit to China in November to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and welcome more PNG ministers, governors, MPs and friends from all sectors to visit China.

Second, expand our shared interests. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with PNG in areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, downstream processing, clean energy and climate change response, and work together to advance major cooperation projects to achieve positive progress. China is also ready, at PNG’s request, to provide support within its capacity in areas such as policing, disaster prevention and mitigation, creating new highlights of bilateral cooperation.

Third, cement the foundation for people-to-people affinity. China is ready to continue enhancing cooperation with PNG in education, healthcare, culture and arts, and explore the potential of people-to-people exchanges. We welcome more PNG friends to visit our country and experience for themselves the ancient yet modern country full of vitality.

Fourth, enhance multilateral cooperation. China will continue to support PNG in playing a greater role on international and regional multilateral platforms and support PNG in hosting APEC in 2033. We stand ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with PNG on multilateral platforms, jointly uphold true multilateralism, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, actively support the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and work together to advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The past 50 years of our exchanges have yielded fruitful results, and an even brighter future of China-PNG relations lies ahead. Let us cherish the achievements of history, seize the opportunities of the future, respond to the expectations of our peoples, and work together to usher in an even more glorious 50 years for the China-PNG Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.