Dept waiting for report

THE Foreign Affairs Department is awaiting an official report from the PNG embassy in Beijing relating to the death of a student there, secretary Barbara Age says.
Age told The National that they were yet to receive information on the death of the student believed to be from Porgera in Enga and studying in China.
According to information from the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby, the student was self-sponsored.
“The embassy learned about the issue from the local press. Upon checking with relevant departments, the Embassy of PNG in China is right now handling this case,” an embassy spokesperson said.
“And we can confirm that the student was a self-sponsored student, not under government scholarship.
“Relatives of the student came to our embassy for a Chinese visa application.
“They mentioned that this was very unfortunate and sad and emphasised that it was a private family issue.
“They did not want to see any publicity of the matter and we respect their decision.”
It is understood that the man was arrested in January for an offence yet to be disclosed. He died reportedly while in prison.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has directive the PNG embassy in China to investigate the death.
It is understood that the man’s family was making arrangements to travel to China.