Government to continue dealing with China: PM

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says the country will continue to deal with China because of the extent of its influence in the global market.
He said regardless of who was in government, the Government would continue to do business with China.
He was responding to Moresby North-West MP Sir Mekere Morauta who was concerned about Chinese nationals who had infiltrated into every system of the economy.
O’Neill said the Government was negotiating with the Chinese government to build a local content into every loan and project by at least 50 per cent.
“This government is not the only one doing business with China,” he said.
“This is not the only government that had signed MOUs, loan agreements or in fact done business with China. We are following the footsteps of other governments.”
O’Neill said past governments had borrowed from China under the same conditions as today.
“China is moving towards becoming the largest economy in the world. It doesn’t matter which government (is in power in PNG), they will continue to deal with China,” O’Neill said.
He agreed with Sir Mekere that some of the businesses reserved for locals had been given to others.
“Our own citizens are inviting foreign nationals to do business in their communities, renting their own properties because they want to be landlords. And we need to restrict this,” O’Neill said.