Now not the time for foreign diplomatic visits, says O’Neill

NOW is not the right time for Papua New Guinea to accept foreign diplomatic visits, including China, former prime minister Peter O’Neill says.
“There must not be any signing of agreements in the midst of General Election 2022,” he added.
On the eve of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit, O’Neill said the visit should have been denied. “Election writs were issued on May 12, dissolving the current Parliament.
“Members of Parliament are now contesting in a general election and should refrain from signing any agreements on behalf of the state.
“All election-related preparations have been made in advance and any donations of security equipment and agreements from China this late are improper,” he added.
The Ialibu-Pangia MP said Prime Minister James Marape perhaps had questionable motives to encourage the visit, drawing PNG into a regional and global matter that “we have no business of choosing sides”.
“A foreign minister of any nation visiting our country is an honour and as a gracious host, PNG would welcome the opportunity to showcase our culture, country and investment opportunities, especially to a world superpower such as China.
“However, the democratic processes such as general election only come around once every five years.”