Chinese Ambassador to PNG Yang Xiaoguang Contributes an Article to PNG’s Media Entitled “Transcending Mountains and Seas, Together for a New Journey Celebrating the 50th[...]

On 16 January, 2026, H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Chinese Ambassador to PNG contributed an article to PNG's two mainstream media The National and Post-Courier entitled "Transcending Mountains and Seas, Together for a New Journey---Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and PNG". The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and PNG. 50 years ago, the two Governments signed Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, and 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 co-existence. This ushered in a new era in China-PNG relations. Over the past 50 years, our two countries have become good friends with mutual trust, good partners for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and good brothers supporting each other in international affairs. Our bilateral relationship has set a fine example of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation among developing countries. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two leaderships and with the efforts of friends from all sectors, China-PNG relations have maintained a positive momentum. Our friendship has transcended mountains and seas, withstood the test of time, and yielded abundant fruits, becoming a cherished asset for both peoples.

China-PNG mutual political trust has kept deepening. Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to PNG in 2018. Prime Minister Marape successfully visited China in 2022 and 2023. Foreign Ministers of China and PNG exchanged annual visits from 2022 to 2025. In recent years, dozens of PNG Ministers, Governors and Members of Parliament have visited China. These fully reflect the close ties between our two countries. PNG firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and insists that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China. PNG opposes so-called "Taiwan independence", and supports all efforts made by the Chinese Government to realize reunification. The Chinese side highly appreciates this. China develops its relations with PNG under the principle of "four full respects", and firmly support PNG to walk its own path to development and achieve its independent revitalization.

China-PNG practical cooperation has achieved fruitful outcomes. PNG is the first Pacific Island Country to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. PNG is China's largest trading partner and the largest destination of Chinese investment among Pacific Island Countries, and the largest recipient of China's assistance in the pacific. In recent years, China and PNG have signed protocols on the export of wild aquatic products, unroasted coffee and cocoa beans to China. More and more Chinese companies have come to PNG and engaged in a wide range of businesses. China has provided PNG with a large amount of grants and concessional loans without any political conditions, supporting projects in the fields of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, public services, etc., bringing tangible benefits to PNG's economic and social development and people's livelihood. China has dispatched Juncao and upland rice technology experts to PNG for 26 consecutive years, helping local communities to acquire advanced technology and achieve poverty alleviation and income generation. China has sent medical teams to PNG for 24 consecutive years, providing healthcare training and medical services, benefiting countless people. China also provides over 100 training opportunities to PNG every year in the fields including development planning, economic policies, climate change response, and agriculture and livestock technologies, contributing to PNG's comprehensive development. These cooperation vividly demonstrate China's philosophy of "teaching people to fish", setting a fine example for deepening cooperation among developing countries.

China-PNG people-to-people exchanges have become closer and closer. China has provided PNG with Chinese Government scholarships and various other scholarships for 40 consecutive years, and supported PNG Government scholarship programs, benefiting more than one thousand PNG students. Universities of the two countries enjoy frequent exchanges. Chinese language and Chinese culture gained increasing popularity in PNG. These have created a favorable environment for cooperation between our two sides. China Southern Airlines' direct flight between Guangzhou and Port Moresby is the first regular commercial flight between China's mainland and the Pacific Island Countries. It has increased to three flights a week, greatly facilitating people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. Chinese companies and communities have deeply embraced PNG, diligently fulfilled their social responsibilities and actively given back to the community. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese companies in PNG have provided more than 10,000 direct jobs for PNG. The number of indirect jobs created is incalculable. Close people-to-people exchanges have laid a solid foundation for China-PNG friendship, injecting powerful momentum into the sustained development of our bilateral relations.

China-PNG cooperation in multilateral platform have deepened and become more substantive. Both of our two countries are dedicated to uphold the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind. All countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal. It is important to uphold true multilateralism, defend the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. PNG welcomes and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China in building a community with a shared future for humanity. China supports PNG to play a bigger role in the UN, APEC, and other multilateral, international and regional organizations.

Confucius once said, "At the age of 50, one knows the mandate of Heaven." China-PNG relations of the past 50 years have taught us much useful experience and inspirations to maintain our traditional friendship and make further progress to our mutual benefit. Standing at this important historical point, both countries have deeply realized that the sustained and sound development of China-PNG relations serves the fundamental interests of our peoples and aligns with the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit.

As changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, the world is undergoing greater transformation and turbulence. Reacting to the trend of the times, some slam on the brake, and some attempt to reverse the course. Against this backdrop, China and PNG, as developing countries and important partners, should firmly uphold the basic norms of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. With broad common interests, China and PNG should firmly stand on the right side of history and make correct strategic choices that serve the fundamental interests of both peoples. Having benefited from economic globalization, China and PNG should jointly oppose protectionism, unilateralism and hegemonism, practice true multilateralism, stop the law of the jungle from prevailing, and contribute to building an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

This year is also the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. Several months ago, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which paints the blueprint for China's development in the next five years and signifies that China will bring new opportunities for cooperation through high-standard opening up and high-quality development to countries around the world including PNG. China stands ready to work with PNG to seize the opportunity presented by the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Together, we will implement the important consensus reached by our leaders, uphold the original aspiration of our diplomatic ties, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, foster people-to-people bonds, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and jointly address global challenges. We will embark on a new journey for the next 50 years of China-PNG relations, better benefit our peoples, and make new and greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.