PM asks China to sign trade deal with Pacific

PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, has requested for China to enter into a Free Trade Arrangement (FTA) with Pacific island countries in particular Papua New Guinea, to boost economic zones in the region.
Marape made the request during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Xue Bing, in Port Moresby recently saying he was mindful that a similar arrangement with Australia and New Zealand under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (Pacer).
(Pacer) deal was being reviewed by PNG to ensure it drew tangible outcomes.
Agendas discussed included, Marape’s bid for China to assist PNG re-finance its K27 billion debt which would be led by Bank of PNG (BPNG) and China People’s Bank; the upcoming 3rd China-Pacific Islands countries Economic Cooperation Forum to be held in Samoa in October; and the forthcoming (PIF) Pacific Island Forum Post Dialogue Forum meetings to be in Tuvalu this month.
“I also suggested for Chinese investment in the agriculture and fisheries sector and in particularly establishing down streaming processing plants for products in forestry, fisheries, mining and petroleum and general food production and supply in PNG,” Marape said.
Xue invited Marape to attend the 3rd China-Pacific Islands countries Economic Cooperation Forum, which would be attended by a leaders of Pacific island countries.
Marape agreed in principle to attend and would advise of his availability.
Xue also raised concerns with PIF leaders forum, being hosted by Tuvalu, who had diplomatic relations with Taiwan and urged PNG to support China to allow it to speak at the PIF Post Forum Dialogue Partners meeting where China would deliver a statement on strengthening its relations in the region through economic development assistance and climate change.
This is based on its experience in Nauru in which the Chinese delegation were not allowed to talk.
Marape maintained that all nations were sovereign states and that each member was entitled to decide on who its external partners were thus for PNG, it’s “One China Policy” has always been the corner stone of the bilateral relations with China.
Given this backdrop and the already enjoyed favourable relations with China, PNG will support China on regional issues of mutual importance.
Xue briefed Marape on China’s investments in PNG and admitted it was not as big as compared to other development partners.
He said China’s two major projects were the Ramu nickel project and the Porgera gold mine which involved Chinese companies.
Marape and Xue also exchanged views on global food security and discussed views on entering into an agricultural cooperation arrangement to supply PNG organic food and vegetables to the Chinese market, and enter into a fisheries agreement for Chinese investors to build fisheries processing plants in Papua New Guinea.
Xue invited Marape to visit China which would be consolidated with key issues such as signing of memorandum of understanding and other technical agreements.
“These will include developments in the field of air services, tourism, mining and petroleum, electricity, construction of roads, ports, airstrips, technical and vocational education schools and the Chinese language curriculum to be introduced in schools and more importantly encouraging business investments from China,” Marape said.
He asked Xue to inform Beijing on a bid to assist GoPNG re-finance its existing country’s K27 billion debt.
Marape stated that a formal letter would be forwarded to the ambassador to convey to Beijing.
He suggested that both the Bank of PNG and the People Republic of China People’s Bank would take the lead with the Department of Treasury in ensuring that consultations were underway.