Premier Li Keqiang met with the Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in Beijing on April 26.

Premier Li said China and Papua New Guinea are making good progress in bilateral relations and cooperation, and President Xi Jinping’s visit to Papua New Guinea last year has pushed the bilateral ties to a new stage.

China, Premier Li said, is willing to connect the Belt and Road Initiative with Papua New Guinea’s development strategy, expand pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and accelerate the feasibility study on a bilateral free trade agreement for win-win benefits.

He also expressed his hope that Papua New Guinea could play a constructive and leading role among Pacific islands countries to enhance relations between China and the island nations.

O’Neill said China is a strong development partner of Papua New Guinea, and bilateral relations have developed well since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

While expressing appreciation of China’s support to the nation, he spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative, which has helped the growth of Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, he said.

He added that Papua New Guinea will put more effort in the negotiation on a free trade agreement with China, and promote better development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

After the meeting, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements.