Papua New Guinea (PNG) will leverage the upcoming APEC Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen to further strengthen ties with China as the two nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said on July 31.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the "2026 Charming China (Guangdong): Lingnan Culture Travels to the South Pacific" in Port Moresby, PNG's capital, Tkatchenko confirmed he and Prime Minister James Marape would attend the meeting in China's tech hub later this year. He highlighted PNG's sister-city relationship with Shenzhen as a vital link.

Justin Tkatchenko addresses the launch ceremony at Butuka Academy on July 31.

"China and Papua New Guinea have forged a very close relationship... a reflection of mutual respect," Tkatchenko said, describing China as PNG's largest trading partner in the Pacific. He predicted bilateral economic engagement would "get bigger and better."

The event marked the launch of Guangdong Province's "Lingnan Culture Travels to the South Pacific" program. Tkatchenko lauded the exhibition of trade goods and art as a testament to Guangdong's innovation. Direct flights between Guangzhou and Port Moresby operated by China Southern Airlines continue to bolster people-to-people and commercial links.

Reporter | Huang Xinyi reporting from Papua New Guinea

Photo | Guo Hongda