Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Papua New Guinean counterpart Samuel Abal Monday agreed to promote ties between their two countries.

China has all along paid great attention to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Papua New Guinea, said Yang.

He said the China-Papua New Guinea relation has achieved remarkable progress since the establishment of bilateral ties, featuring frequent high-level exchanges and widening cooperation in such sectors as economy and trade, agriculture, culture, education and health.

The two countries have also maintained close consultation and coordination in international and regional organizations, said Yang.

The upcoming visit of Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare is of great importance in boosting bilateral ties, said Yang, stressing China is willing to join hands with Papua New Guinea to advance bilateral relations.

Abal said Papua New Guinean government attached great importance to ties with China and agreed to firmly adhere to the one-China policy.

Papua New Guinea is ready to work with China to enhance cooperation in economy and trade, energy and resources, so as to make new progress for bilateral ties.

After the meeting, Abal presented a check worth 531,300 US dollars to the Chinese government on behalf of the Papua New Guinean government to support post-quake reconstruction in southwest China's Sichuan province, and Yang expressed appreciation to the donation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2009)