Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held official talks with his Papua New Guinean counterpart Michael Thomas Somare on Wednesday, pledging closer bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Citing the profound friendship between the two countries, Wen said China is willing to keep high-level contacts and party-to-party exchanges with Papua New Guinea.

The Chinese government supports its competitive companies to invest in Papua New Guinea, and carry out substantial cooperation with the country based on equality and mutual benefits, Wen said.

The current financial crisis had posed greater difficulties to less developed countries including island countries, Wen said, adding China would seriously fulfill its commitment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and help countries involved to get over the difficulties.

Somare applauded the great achievements of bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976, citing frequent high-level visits, deep political trust and fruitful cooperation in all fields.

He said his government and people are grateful to the support and help China offered to Papua New Guinea's economic and social development.

Calling China a sincere cooperation partner, Somare reiterated Papua New Guinea's adherence to the one-China policy.

He hopes China could continue its support for Papua New Guinea in diversified areas including education and public health.

The two premiers also attended the signing ceremony of a series of bilateral economic and technological cooperation agreements after their talks.

Somare is to visit south China's Hainan Province for the 2009 meeting of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia (BFA) from April 17 to 19.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2009)