1st Ld-Writethru: PNG says respecting China's position on South China Sea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) said on Thursday that it respected China's position on the South China Sea issue and supported direct consultation between parties concerned.

PNG upholds that maritime disputes should be peacefully resolved by parties directly concerned through consultation and negotiation in accordance with international law, according to a joint press release between China and the PNG, issued after the meeting between President Xi Jinping and visiting PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at the Great Hall of the People.

China reiterated its principled position on the South China Sea issue and stressed its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, its legitimate and lawful rights and interests in the South China Sea, and its right to independently choose the means of dispute settlement in accordance with law, the press release said.

The two countries also reiterated their respect for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the development path the people of each side have chosen in the light of their own national conditions.

PNG reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy.

Xi said China appreciated PNG's adherence to the one-China policy, and supported its efforts to maintain national independence and promote national development.

Xi called on the two sides to further deepen cooperation in areas including trade, energy, resources, infrastructure construction, agriculture, forestry and fishery.

The two countries should expand cooperation between localities and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

O'Neill echoed Xi saying PNG was willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as trade, energy, finance and tourism, and enhance cultural exchanges.

According to the press release, the two countries agreed to seize opportunities to synergize development strategies as China follows through on the 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative and PNG implements the Development Strategic Plan 2010-2030, with a view to achieving win-win development outcomes.

During the China visit of O'Neill, the two countries signed several cooperation documents including an agreement on civil aviation, a framework agreement for development cooperation on production capacity, and a memorandum of understanding regarding the joint feasibility study on a China-PNG free trade agreement.

Xi said China was willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with PNG in multilateral mechanisms, including at the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Pacific Islands Forum, and strengthen cooperation on issues such as climate change and sustainable development.

He also voiced support and offered help to PNG for its hosting of the APEC leaders' summit in 2018.

According to the press release, both countries support reform of the UN Security Council and maintain that such reform should enhance the authority and efficiency of the council and increase the representation and voice of the developing countries, that a package proposal should be sought through full and democratic consultation and consensus-building, and that a reform proposal that is deeply divided shall not be forced ahead.

O'Neill, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, kicked off his week-long official visit to China on Tuesday. The two prime ministers held talks on Wednesday afternoon.

Besides Beijing, O'Neill will attend the Eco Forum Global in Guiyang in southwestern China and visit Shenzhen. Endi