Hon. Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal
Hon. Paru Aihi, Minister for Higher Education
Hon. Benny Allan, Minister for Environment and Conservation
Hon. Malcolm Kela-Smith, Governor for Eastern Highlands Province
Hon. David Arore, Vice Minister for Education
Mr. Benias Sabumei, Chancellor of University of Goroka
Dr. Gairo Onagi, Vice Chancellor of University of Goroka
Mr. Liu Yizhong, General Manager of Guangdong Foreign Construction Ltd.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It is my great pleasure to be invited to this auspicious event of the Opening of Stage 1 and Groundbreaking Ceremony for Stages 2-4 Student Dormitories project of University of Goroka. On this occasion, I wish to extend my warm congratulations to the University of Goroka, Guangdong Foreign Construction Ltd. for your hard work and good cooperation to successfully complete the stage 1 of the student dormitory, and also wish the smooth implementation of the stages 2 – 4 in the years to come.

As you may recall, under the Framework Agreement signed in November 2009 between the Governments of China and Papua New Guinea during the official visit by H.E. Mr.Li Keqiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of China, the Chinese Government agreed to provide 294 million RMB (118 million kina) concessional loan assistance to the PNG Government for the construction of the student dormitories of UOG.

As we are aware, the University of Goroka is the third largest of the six universities in Papua New Guinea, and is by far the largest teacher education institution in the country and the prime centre for the study of education and other content areas in the Highlands region and is one of the fastest growing learning institutions in PNG and the South Pacific. Therefore, we are very proud of providing assistance to this great and dynamic institution. Also, we firmly believe that our funding assistance will contribute to the development of UOG as well as the higher education of PNG at large, and with its completion years later, it will further enhance UOG's capacity towards the goal to be Melanesia's leading University.

Education is the foundation for all the developments of a country. If we want to build a house, we need to lay the foundation first. During the past years, the Chinese Government has been attaching great importance and providing aid assistance to support the education development in the country, such as the projects of Vudal University, Lae Unitech and so on. And today we gather here to celebrate the groundbreaking of UOG project funded by the Chinese Government again, which is another good example to testify the commitment to supporting the education sector by the Chinese Government. As the Chinese Ambassador, I also would like to urge and encourage the Chinese contractor to work harder, cooperate more closely with the UOG, and set up the best quality buildings for the UOG and people of Papua New Guinea.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Both China and Papua New Guinea are developing countries and we are sharing many similar challenges. The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to the development of the friendly bilateral relations between China and Papua New Guinea. Even though China is still a developing country, China has been providing aid to the best of its ability to Papua New Guinea, which always concentrates on helping PNG build up self-development capacity with the projects mainly focusing on the infrastructures and technical assistance. During the past years, the Chinese Government has done its best to support and assist PNG in achieving its social and economic developments with the implementation of a dozen of aid projects, including the Sir John Guise Stadium, the Wawin National High School, Kandep Agriculture Station and Wheat Technical Cooperation project, the Eastern Highlands Mushroom and Dry Rice project, the Expansion of Students' Dormitory and Teacher's Houses of Vudal University, Lae Fishery Processing and Cold Storage Plant, Wewak Sports Stadium, the upgrade of Papa Lealea Road, Hagen Agriculture Technical Cooperation project, dispatching 5 Chinese Aid Medical Teams working in Port Moresby General Hospital and so on. Hundreds of PNG students were granted Chinese Government Scholarships to undertake degree studies in China. Over 300 government officials and technical personnel were invited to China to attend various programs of different sectors for capacity training purpose. The amount of China's aid to PNG maybe is not so big, but it's very genuine. It's from the bottom of our heart, has no political condition attached. It's the aid coming from your developing friend. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

This year 2011 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Papua New Guinea. The year 2011 also marks the fruitful harvesting year of the mutual beneficial economic and technical cooperation between the two countries. Today, we are here witnessing the groundbreaking of the Student dormitories project of UOG. According to the schedule, within this year, we are also going to witness the groundbreaking or commencing of a series of aid projects funded by the Chinese Government, such as the Usino Junction-Yamagi Road project in Madang province, the Phase Ⅱ of Mt.Hagen agriculture technical cooperation project, the Distant Education Network of Community College project and the Integrated Government Information System Network project (IGIS) and the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project. Meanwhile, we are also looking forward to the groundbreaking of the International Convention Center project in Port Moresby. All these above-mentioned projects are the sweet fruits yielding from the long-term stable and friendly bilateral relationship between China and Papua New Guinea, which also reflects the growing and strengthening vibrant bilateral relations during the past 35 years and also show us the bright future of the relationship between the two countries. We firmly believe that this strong and growing relationship will continue to yield more tangible benefits, which the people of PNG could enjoy directly.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A good momentum has been maintained in the development of our bilateral relations. There were frequent high-level meetings and exchange of visits, growing trade and economic cooperation and fruitful exchange and cooperation in culture, education, health and other fields. We do appreciate PNG government always upholds one China policy, supporting China's peaceful reunification. Further development of China-PNG friendly relations is in conformity with the common interests of the two peoples.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to take the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt project, with total investment of 1.4 billion USD by MCC, as the good example of bilateral mutual-beneficial cooperation. The Ramu Nickel project is a win-win project for our two countries. It is my firm belief that with the smooth running of Ramu Nickel project, the foreign confidence of investing in PNG will be boosted, and the bilateral economic relations between our two countries will be further lifted to a higher level. We hope to see the first production soon to put new vigor into the PNG economy.

China is still a developing country which has the largest population in the world. The GDP per capita is still below the average of the world. There is still a long way to go before China can become a developed country, our efforts for modernization need your understanding and full support.

Papua New Guinea is a beautiful island country in the South Pacific blessed with hard working people. Over the past 36 years since independence, the government and people of PNG have made unremitting efforts and achieved great success in upholding state sovereignty and independence, developing national economy and promoting social progress. Ever since my first touch on this land in May 2010, I have already fallen in love with this beautiful country. I have full confidence in the prospects of PNG. As the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties by further strengthening China – PNG political mutual trust and facilitating all-round cooperation between our two countries, promoting understanding and friendship between our two peoples.

Once again, many thanks for the kind invitation and kind hospitality from the people of Eastern Highlands.

Thank you all.