China is fully committed to promoting its ties with Papua New Guinea (PNG), State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Wednesday.

Tang, meeting with visiting PNG Governor-General Silas Atopare, said China was satisfied to see that Sino-PNG relations had maintained a good momentum for growth since the day the two countries forged their diplomatic ties in 1976 and especially during the period when Atopare took office,

Tang noted that China attached great importance to its relations with PNG and was ready to join with PNG to push forward the bilateral ties.

China thanked the PNG government for its consistent support on the issue of Taiwan, Tang said.

Atopare endorsed Tang's high appraisal on bilateral relations and voiced PNG's pledge to maintain the one-China policy and continue friendly cooperation with China.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2003)