(December 22, 2010)
Ms. Esmie Freda Sinapa, Secretary General of the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to the handover ceremony.
In a few days, we will celebrate Christmas and New Year. During the past couple of weeks, Port Moresby was already filled with colorful lights, exuberant music and smiling faces. Yet at the same time, we are very sad to learn that the fast-spreading cholera disease keeps people from getting together, from resuming festive mood and food. Since the first outbreak in August 2009, the epidemic has spread to 7 provinces and the southern region continues to observe influx of cases. As of the 14th of December 2010, the cumulative affected cases stood over 11,000 with 452 deaths.
Merciless as the cholera is, we human beings are compassionate and caring. My Embassy in Port Moresby has been very much concerned about the loss of lives and the suffering caused by the cholera to the PNG people. We got in touch with the Red Cross Society of China (CRCS) asking for assistance. The CRCS in its positive response make a donation of US$50,000 –approximately K142,857 -- to the PNGRCS to help boost the nationwide efforts to arrest the cholera disease. And I am firmly convinced that PNGRCS, a commendably industrious and devoting working team, with their rich experience in fighting against epidemic, will coordinate and use the assistance efficiently and effectively to enhance capabilities, scale up training, and alleviate the suffering of those victims with the highest priority needs.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. The donation today may be humble, but it is coming from the bottom of our hearts. On a bigger picture, it once again indicates the sincere friendship and profound sentiments between our two people and two governments in times of needs.
As brothers and sisters, we are happy to note that in the past 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and PNG, our bilateral relations have witnessed an all-around and steady development, with frequent exchanges of high level visits and increasingly expanding cooperation of mutual benefits in various fields. In 2009, the bilateral trade volume reached nearly US$ 900 million. The Chinese company MCC’s US$1.4 billion investment project of Ramu Nico Mine is a win-win cooperation project between our two countries. Last Thursday, on behalf of the respective government, Secretary for Department of Foreign Affairs of PNG and I cosigned the Agreement on Economic and Technical cooperation where China gave PNG a grant-in-aid of RMB 30million to for mutually agreed projects.
In the areas of social developments, the Chinese Government has done its best over the past years to implement a dozen of aid projects to support PNG’s national development. Especially in the field of health, four Chinese medical teams came to work in PNG respectively. The 5th Chinese medical team arrived last month and has already started their work in Port Moresby General Hospital.
The Chinese government always attaches importance to strengthening the friendship and cooperation with PNG. Both China and PNG are developing countries, and we have many things in common. Looking ahead, we must work together in the years to come to further enhance all-level exchanges, enlarge our bilateral trade, investment, cooperation in various fields and continue our mutual support in international and regional affairs. Hereby, our friendly relations and mutual beneficial cooperation will not only benefit the well-being of our two countries, but also bring peace and stability to the region.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In conclusion, the handover ceremony today is another hallmark of the strong levels of support, collaboration and cooperation between our two countries and two peoples. And I do wish greater progress to be made in the battle against cholera in PNG.
Wish you all Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Thank you.