Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Mr. Qiu Bohua
at the Deck-Reception
on the Zheng He Training Ship, Chinese Navy Ocean Training Formation
(August 20th, 2010)
Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Don Poly
Brigadier General Francis Augwi, Commander of PNGDF
Captain Alois Ur Tom, Chief of Staff of PNGDF
Rear Admiral Leng Zhengqin, Commander of the Chinese Navy Training Formation
Hon. Mr. Powes Parkop, Governor for NCD
Captain Max Aleal, Chief of Operations of PNGDF
Heads of Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight it is my special honor to attend this Deck Reception on Zheng He Training Ship of the Chinese Navy Training Formation. To facilitate the visit of the Formation, the PNG side has done a large amount of effective work. Upon the conclusion of this successful visit, I would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciations to the PNG Defense Force, the Department of Defense and the PNG Ports Corporation for your gracious hospitality and thoughtful preparations and arrangements for the visit. Our thanks also goes to Hon. Governor of NCD Mr. Powes Parkop for his generous support by providing transportation for the 568 officers, cadets and sailors to fulfill their busy schedule in Port Moresby. The Chinese community and the Chinese companies based in PNG played an important role in making the visit a success. Your efforts are highly appreciated.
It is the first time for the Chinese Navy Ocean Training Formation to visit PNG. During the visit, our navy exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, shared the academic experiences and had the entertainments with their PNG counterparts. They also enjoyed the city tour from which they were deeply impressed by the colorful culture and profound history of PNG. Our navy officers and sailors were deeply moved by the hospitality of the PNG people and great interest they have about China for hundreds of thousands of people visited the navy vessels during its open day. The visit was highlighted by the tour of H.E. Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane to our navy vessels. No doubt the visit will further deepen the friendship and mutual understanding between our two armies and two peoples.
This is the mission of peace and friendship. China always pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. Now we are standing on the deck of Zheng He Training ship. Zheng He was the famous Chinese national hero in the Ming dynasty in the 14th century when China was the most powerful country in the world with 30% of the global GDP at the time. Leading the most powerful fleet in the world, Zheng He made 7 voyages to the Western Seas, bringing there porcelain, silk and tea, rather than bloodshed, plundering or colonialism. They also brought those countries tranquility and wellbeing by helping them fight pirates. To this date, Zheng He is still remembered as an envoy of friendship and peace. Now China is getting more integrated into the international community. It needs closer international cooperation and a peaceful and stable international environment. China's future and destiny has become even more closely linked with that of the rest of the world. Mutual benefit and common development is the most important experience we have gained from our diplomacy over the past 30 years. This is the key to our success, which we will hold firm forever.
The Chinese Navy Training Formation's visit to PNG is the historical event in the bilateral relations between China and PNG. It comes at time when the Sino-PNG relations are keeping good momentum of development with extensive cooperation in all fields and frequent exchanges of high-level visits between our two countries. This navy voyage of friendship and harmony will certainly inject new vigor into the long-lasting friendship between our two countries.
PNG is an important country with major influence in the South Pacific Region. With its fast development, PNG is a country of great promise and prospects. PNG is China's good friend, good brother and good partner in the region. It has also become China's largest trade partner and investment destination country among the South Pacific island countries. We highly appreciate PNG's continuous upholding of one-China policy. The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to the development of our bilateral relations. I'm fully confident that with joint efforts of both sides, the Sino-PNG relationship will be further developed and the mutual beneficial cooperation between our two countries will be brought to a new height.
Thank you.
