December 28th, 2023

(From www.52hrtt.com) At the invitation of the China Association of Social Economic & Cultural Exchange, the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (APECF), and other institutions, Mr. Walter David Schnaubelt, Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation of Papua New Guinea, visited China. Concurrently, as a key member of the delegation led by Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape, he attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The delegation was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and participated in an official welcome ceremony and talks at the Great Hall of the People.

During his visit, Minister Walter David Schnaubelt held constructive discussions with relevant Chinese departments and representatives on future cooperation prospects between China and Papua New Guinea, particularly in renewable energy, agricultural cultivation, infrastructure, and aviation facilities. Broad consensus was reached, yielding positive outcomes. At the Forum, Minister Schnaubelt and delegation members met with Mr. Xiao Wunan and his team. The parties exchanged views on topics of mutual interest, achieving strong alignment on the maturity of multiple projects. Minister Schnaubelt warmly invited Mr. Xiao Wunan to visit Papua New Guinea soon, accompanied by Chinese enterprises specializing in renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure. APECF has long been committed to Papua New Guinea’s development and prosperity. Its Co-Chairman, Mr. Tiong Hiew King, made early-stage investments in the country covering oil, timber, and property development in Port Moresby. Over the past decade, Mr. Xiao Wunan’s multiple visits successfully facilitated investments and projects in Papua New Guinea by institutions such as China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and the Export-Import Bank of China. These projects laid a solid foundation for Papua New Guinea’s hosting of the 2018 APEC Summit, earning high praise from then-Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, ruling party leadership, and senior cabinet officials.

After more than a decade of joint efforts, Papua New Guinea has achieved remarkable progress in economic and social development. As a major economy in the South Pacific, Papua New Guinea will collaborate with other Pacific Island nations to open a new chapter for the further development of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region.

The discussions were attended by Tang Liguo, Executive General Manager of the International Department of CSCEC Third Engineering Bureau, Ge Fen, Director of the Shenzhen Liaison Office of the APECF, and Lim Yong Chong, Chairman of Singapore’s BlackGold World, and others.