PNG Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had, saying stability between the two major powers is important for global peace, trade and prosperity.
President Trump and President Xi held talks at the White House last Thursday during Xi’s state visit to the United States. Both sides subsequently spoke of maintaining a constructive and stable relationship. (The White House)
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In a statement Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea, which maintains relations with both the United States and China, welcomed continued dialogue and cooperation between Washington and Beijing.
“The United States and China are the world’s two leading economic powers and major military powers. When these two nations have stability, friendship and constructive engagement, the entire world benefits,” he said.
“We may not agree on everything or see everything from the same viewpoint, but coexistence, mutual respect and working together where possible are important.”
Prime Minister Marape said continued trade between the two economies was also important to the global economy.
“When their economies are healthy and growing, that gives a boost to the entire global economy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said PNG’s relationship with the United States had gained renewed momentum during his visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
He said he met President Trump during UNGA week and received assurances of support for strengthening PNG-US relations, including through greater American private-sector involvement.
“This complements the policy my Government has pursued since 2019 — we do not want to remain dependent on aid and grants; we would rather have trade and investment,” Marape said.
“We want investment that creates jobs, develops industries, adds value to our resources and opens international markets for Papua New Guinean products.”
He said discussions with US business representatives during UNGA week covered potential investment in fisheries, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, information and communications technology, mining, petroleum and gas.
“We welcome this growing American business interest in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“We want more American companies investing here, creating jobs and partnering with Papua New Guinean businesses and our people.”
Prime Minister Marape said PNG also maintained a strong relationship with China, particularly in trade and investment.
“We have a very close relationship with China. China has indicated its willingness to purchase more of what Papua New Guinea produces, and we want to expand that trade relationship,” he said.
“We want greater market access for our coffee, cocoa, fisheries, agriculture, forestry and other products.”
He reaffirmed PNG’s longstanding One-China Policy, which the Government continues to uphold. The policy was reaffirmed by the Government earlier this year as the country’s established foreign-policy position. (Prime Minister’s Office)
Prime Minister Marape said he also looked forward to meeting President Xi on the margins of APEC to discuss PNG-China trade, investment and economic cooperation.
He said PNG did not view its relationships with the United States and China as mutually exclusive.
“Papua New Guinea is a friend of both the United States and China. We want both countries to prosper, and we want to trade and work with both,” he said.
“The world does not require every country to agree on everything. What is important is dialogue, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and the willingness to work together.”
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“That is why I commend President Trump and President Xi for their engagement.”
“When the United States and China are stable, prosperous and working together, it is good for their people, good for global trade and investment, and good for the peace and prosperity of the world.”