Papua New Guinea projects gain support

As Papua New Guinea began hosting the weeklong 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on Monday, locals engaged in joint activities with Chinese attendees as a show of hospitality.

Primary school students in Port Moresby, the country's capital, performed a traditional dance wearing tribal garb to express their appreciation for school supplies donated by China.

Scholars shared photos of academic exchanges between the two countries, and officials and business executives from both nations discussed further bilateral cooperation.

Not far from the capital is China-funded Butuka Academy, which was built by China Construction Steel Structure Corp earlier this year.

On the island of Kepera, locals participate in activities at a center built by a Chinese company in 2015, the first ever on the island of about 5,000 people.

The China-funded facilities and supplies provide the Papua New Guineans with opportunities for a better education and a higher quality of life, said Sam Lora, assistant secretary of the country's National Capital District Department of Education.

At a donation ceremony at Waigani Primary School in the capital, Guo Weimin, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, offered his best wishes for the 1,000 or so children in attendance.

On four other occasions in Port Moresby on Monday, Guo encouraged both nations to expand not only exchanges in trade and investment, but also in cultural and people-to-people realms.

David Bello Kombako, deputy executive dean of the University of Papua New Guinea, said the sharp contrast between China and his country did not prevent them from cooperating on sustainable development and seeking harmony with the environment.

Arutu Bake, councilor of Motu Koita Assembly, and education official Orlando Antonia, emphasized the importance of engagement with local communities in joint projects. They said Butuka Academy was built on the site of a poorly maintained former primary school, and was eventually able to receive support from landowners of the village of Kira Kira as well as China.

Chang Chunhui, an engineer with China Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group, said he was grateful for the support of local villagers on various projects.

When he first arrived on Kepera in 2015, he was the only Chinese on the island. Villagers would haul building materials by hand, often trekking along dirt roads from morning to night. "I was deeply touched by their enthusiasm and surprised that the local activity center could be finished that year," he said.

Since then, his fellow workers and engineers built other construction projects in Papua New Guinea, including the main venue of 2018 APEC in Port Moresby.

Port Moresby City Manager Bernard Kipit said 2018 APEC Week is an important occasion for PNG. "We're looking forward to the meeting so the world can know more about PNG," he said.