China will, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, work with Papua New Guinea (PNG) to push forward the sound, long-term and steady development of bilateral relations, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing Wednesday.

Hu, at a meeting with PNG Governor-General Silas Atopare, said China valued its friendly relations with PNG and supports its efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity and develop the national economy.

He said China had always held that all countries, no matter big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, should treat each other on an equal footing and in a friendly way.

He pointed to the continuous development of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, citing the increasing contacts between leaders of the two countries in recent years and the positive results of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

PNG has become China's largest trade partner and investment destination among south Pacific island countries, and the two countries have also maintained close cooperation in regional and international affairs, said Hu.

He elaborated on China's position on the Taiwan issue and expressed his appreciation for PNG government's attention to its relations with China and its One-China policy.

Atopare spoke highly of the existing friendship between the two countries, and voiced his thanks for China's support for PNG's economic development and social progress in the past years.

He said his country will continue to follow the One-China policy and work for the development of bilateral friendship and cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2003)