350 residing in China: Official

AT LEAST 350 Papua New Guineans are living in China, says Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Patrick Pruaitch.
Pruaitch said according to the Kundu Beijing’s official records, there were 355 PNG residents living and working in China.
The figure is for only those who registered at the embassy.
“There may be more PNG Citizens in China who are yet to register their personal details with the embassy,” Pruaitch said.
“Evacuation from China is one of several options and recommendations presented to Government.”
“But as easy as it may seem to the public, there are many factors that must be properly considered for such an operation.
“Some of these include working with the Chinese government for all necessary clearances to undertake such plans and the need to provide accurate information to all stakeholders involved.
“This would require PNG citizens providing accurate information and cooperating with the Government through the PNG Embassy in Beijing.”
Pruaitch said once the Government was able to establish necessary details required, including the individual decisions of students, steps could then be taken next.
“In the meantime, Kundu Beijing continues to provide official reports back to HQ on what is happening on the ground and recommendations for consideration by capital,” he said.
“The department is also aware of the students who left Wuhan before the quarantine lockdown and are now in Shanghai.
“As for the two students in Wuhan, who could not make it on the NZ government evacuation flight, Kundu Beijing is still in contact with them for the sake of their welfare and safety.
“The department is working with official information and reports from the PNG embassy in Beijing, who will liaise with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the department is liaising with the Chinese embassy in Port Moresby through official diplomatic channels.”
Meanwhile Pruaitch said the 17 PNG students evacuated from Wuhan by the New Zealand government were safe in Auckland since Wednesday night.
“The quarantine planning phase from China to New Zealand are said to be on track.
“This has been confirmed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and conveyed to the PNG High Commissioner in New Zealand, Francis Agwi.
“As of 5pm NZ time on Thursday, the New Zealand Ministry of Health advised that no one at the isolation facility in Whangaparoa was showing any signs of infection.
“No one has tested positively for novel coronavirus.
“The high commissioner will be on call 24/7 to provide necessary consular support to New Zealand officials and PNG citizens during the 14-day quarantine period,” Pruaitch said.