On behalf of the Chinese Government, Amb. Li Zhengjun handed over K200,000 worth of medical instruments and drugs to Papua New Guinean Government in the Port Moresby General Hospital on Oct. 22. This is the fourth installment of the donation made by the Chinese Government since October, 2002.
In his speech, Amb. Li briefed about the development of the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation and the assistance that China has offered to PNG. Amb. Li specifically commended the services that the Chinese medical team has offered in the Port Moresby General Hospital over the past two years. He announced that, at the request of the PNG Government, a new group of doctors would arrive at Port Moresby to replace the present team soon.
On behalf of the PNG Government, Dr. Nicholas Mann, Secretary for the Department of Health received the Chinese donation. Not long ago, Dr. Mann visited Chongqing, where he met with the new group of doctors who were preparing to come to Port Moresby. Dr. Mann also emphasized these doctors are professionals in their own right and selected under strict guidelines. He thanked the Chinese Government for the sincere assistance.
The two newspapers of PNG, "Post Courier" and "the National", and the two broadcasting corporations all sent journalists to cover the hand-over ceremony and reported it.
Following is the speech delivered by Amb. Li Zhengjun.
Speech by Chinese Ambassador H.E. Li Zhengjun
At the Handover Ceremony of Medical Apparatus and Instruments and Drugs
October 22, 2004
Dr. Nicholas Mann, Secretary for Health
Dr. Alphonse Tay, CEO of the Port Moresby General Hospital
Prof. Du Yuehua, Leader of the Chinese Medical Team,
Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I am greatly honored to hand over the fourth batch of medical apparatus, instruments and drugs to Secretary of Health Dr. Nicolas Mann, the representative of the Government of Papua New Guinea. The total amount of this medical apparatus and medicine alone comes to 200,000 Kina. I wish to make it known to the PNG public that these medical instruments and drugs are provided in accordance with the agreement signed between our two governments in April 2002.
During Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's visit to China, the Chinese government agreed to send another medical team to replace the present one.
I wish to say that our medical doctors working in your hospital have done a good job. They have been working hard in the past two years to serve the Papua New Guineans in Port Moresby. They have helped to give timely treatment to some emergency patients and won the praise of them. But times flies quickly they will fulfill their service of two years very soon. They will be replaced by another group of doctors from Chongqing.
Secretary for Health, Dr. Mann has just visited and come back from Chongqing. I believe the visit has left a remarkable impression on him. Just like China as a whole, Chongqing Municipality is also developing very rapidly and the people there enjoy a happier life than some years ago. I hope our PNG friends will have opportunities to visit Chongqing in future.
The bilateral relations have been developing well. Our cooperation in various fields is expanding step by step. China has always supported the efforts of PNG to promote its economic development and improve the living standards of its people. For many years, China has been giving all kind of assistance in this regard. PNG has become China's biggest trading partner among the South Pacific Island countries and the largest investment place for China.
We will start the construction of the Papa Lealea road project with full Chinese funding. We will also help to renovate and refurbish the Government House to build the mathematics and computer center in the University of Technology in Lae and the student dormitory and teachers house. I am also very glad to let you know that China will provide full funding for the set-up of a fish processing plant and cold storage facilities.
The bilateral trade volume keeps expanding. The volume of two-way trade reached US$160 million, up 26%, in the last 7 months. This year, several big Chinese corporations have come to PNG to conduct investment studies. China continues to deepen its policy of opening up to the outside world, and encourages the well-established corporations to make investment overseas. PNG is abundant in natural resources. Our two countries' economy is much complementary. This will provide a historical opportunity for the two countries to advance bilateral trade and investment cooperation. We are committed to find new ways to enhance our economic cooperation and consolidate the economic foundation of our friendly relations and cooperation.
I am also glad to let you know that China has also increased its assistance in the development of human resources in PNG. One of your officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration is now in China to participate in a training course. 3 military officers are pursuing their further study in China. And the Chinese government has agreed to increase its scholarship to four for PNG students. But this year only one student has gone to China to study. She is the daughter of Dr. Tea of your hospital. I wish her well and every success in her study in China. I also hope that she will feel very much at home among many friends in China and will not be missing PNG or home sick.
Besides, our two countries have been cooperating and supporting each other in international affairs. In the UNG Security Council we firmly support the Bougainville peace process, while your country adheres to the One China policy and supports China's just position on the Taiwan issue and China's reunification. Your representative in the UN and WHO all speak openly that as a province of China, Taiwan has no right to participate in inter-governmental international or regional organizations. China highly appreciates the clear-cut position of PNG on the Taiwan issue.
In one word, we are convinced that with the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the friendly relations and cooperation will be even more promising.