China, Papua New Guinea Mark 25th Anniversary of Bilateral TiesThe premiers of the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea Friday exchanged messages of congratulations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries which falls on the day.Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in his message that since the two countries established diplomatic ties 25 years ago, their mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural, education, health, military and other fields has been continuously expanded. Papua New Guinea is an important cooperative partner of China. To develop the bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, Zhu said. He also pledged to make concerted efforts with the Papua New Guanine side for the promotion of sound and all-round development of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in the new century. In response, Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Mekere Morauta said the relations between the two countries have been founded on the principles of mutual respect, trust and respect for each other 's sovereignty as well as territorial integrity. The key to the success of this relationship - especially its expansion and diversification in recent years, said Morauta, lies in his country's respect for the "one China policy," which Papua New Guinea has adhered to in its dealings with the People's Republic of China. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Papua New Guinean counterpart John Pundari also exchanged messages of congratulations on the occasion. |
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