Developing nations should pool their resources in an effort to become more advanced, Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said yesterday.
Li's comments came at a meeting with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Mekere Morauta, shortly after Li's arrival in the PNG capital.

The leader of China's top advisory body said that in the years since the two countries established diplomatic ties,overall bilateral relations have continued to grow.

After Morauta took office as prime minister, Li said, the PNG Government adopted a clear and firm stance on the Taiwan question, which is part of the reason China and PNG enjoy such good ties.

Li said that bilateral economic and trade exchanges have expanded at a quick pace and that the PNG has become China's largest trading partner among South Pacific island nations.

China's entry into the World Trade Organization will strengthen its economic and trade links with other countries and regions and provide new opportunities for China-PNG trade ties, Li said.

Li said a fundamental way to safeguarding world peace and stability is to narrow the gap between the developing and the developed nations, firstly by reducing the high poverty rates in developing nations.

Li said the international community should work to establish a fair and reasonable political and economic new order and promote the common prosperity of all countries.

He also said developed nations should take their due responsibility and help developing ones improve their people's living standards.

He said in the past two decades, China, drawing from its past bitter experiences, has chosen a development road that caters to its own circumstances, focuses on its economic progress and adheres to its reform and opening-up policy. This road finally met the people's basic demand for food and clothing.

Li said, China is ready to strengthen co-operation and exchanges with the PNG to promote common development.
Morauta said that the PNG enjoys good relations with China.
He described China as a sincere and important friend who has always strongly supported the PNG Government.
He added that his government will firmly stick to the one- China policy.