GG farewells Wei

GOVERNOR-General Sir Paulias Matane has paid tribute to outgoing Chinese ambassador Wei Ruixing who made a farewell call at Government House on Monday.
Sir Paulias said the personal interest shown by Mr Ruixing and his active involvement had contributed significantly to the current close relations between PNG and China.
He also thanked Mr Ruixing for organising his State visit to China where he met president Hu Jintao.
Mr Wei raised funding for the renovation of the State House, including the construction of two new staff houses in 2007.
Sir Paulias said PNG was grateful for the aid assistance provided by the government of China in the areas of agriculture, education, health services and other infrastructure development support in the country.
“Since your term in office, you have brought about a lot of changes in the areas of trade, high level visits of the vice premiers of China, increased scholarships for our students and we have seen increased investments between our two countries.
“On behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, we really appreciate all that you have done.
“Your initiatives have brought many changes to relations between our two countries,” Sir Paulias said.
Mr Wei expressed similar sentiments of the countries’ relations that had been strengthened by the level of cooperation.
He said during the four-year call of duty, PNG had become the largest trading partner of China in the Pacific Region.
“You are a very good and close friend whom I regard as a father like figure.
“It is my hope that you will continue the support you have given me to my successor”.