SYDNEY, Nov. 9--In a first for the Asia-Pacific region, China and Australia are working together in an on-the-ground health project in Papua New Guinea. The innovative cooperation project brings together China, Australia and Papua New Guinea to tackle Malaria.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation between China and Australia in 2013 to enable practical collaboration on development issues.

Nearly 95 per cent of the PNG population live in areas of high risk for malaria. This often affects the most vulnerable and represents a major health and economic burden which profoundly impacts on the country's development.

China will provide technical expertise as well as an in-kind contribution over three years, while the Australian aid program will contribute AU$4 million over three years to fund this ground-breaking project.