China has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Papua New Guinea’s disaster response and recovery efforts, highlighting years of humanitarian assistance and future cooperation opportunities in disaster management, energy transformation, and emergency response technologies.
The commitment was reiterated during a handover ceremony for humanitarian cash assistance from the Chinese Government to the PNG Government held on Thursday, May 14, where Minister-Counsellor Pang Hanzhao, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in PNG, officially handed over US$1 million (approximately K3.9 million) in humanitarian assistance to Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
Prime Minister James Marape, Foreign Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu, Defence Secretary John Akipe, and PNG National Disaster Centre Director Lusete Mana attended the ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Minister Pang reviewed the history of disaster response cooperation between China and PNG and said China has consistently provided assistance following major natural disasters in the country in recent years.
He said that in 2018, China donated US$800,000 (approximately K3.1 million) to PNG following the 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
In 2022, China donated US$100,000 (approximately K390,000) in cash assistance and also provided millions of US dollars to help PNG repair the Kumul Submarine Cable Network after the 7.6-magnitude earthquake.
Following the devastating Enga landslide in 2024, Pang said China provided the PNG Government with US$1.2 million (approximately K4.7 million) in cash assistance, as well as disaster relief supplies including thousands of solar lights, blankets, and sleeping bags.
He also noted that after last year’s landslide in Wapenamanda, the Chinese Embassy provided support within its capacity, while Guangdong Province donated disaster relief equipment worth half a million RMB to PNG’s National Disaster Centre.
Minister Pang expressed condolences and sympathy to communities affected by disasters across PNG.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” he said. “Disasters are ruthless, but people have love. China, as PNG’s reliable partner for 50 years, is always ready to give a hand when PNG needs help.”
Minister Pang said the past 50 years of relations between the two countries had demonstrated China’s reliability as a development partner for PNG.
“The past 50 years of history have proved that China is one of the most reliable development partners of PNG,” he said.
Minister Pang also highlighted broader cooperation between the two countries, including the contribution made by the Chinese Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark during its visit to PNG and Prime Minister Marape’s successful visit to Guangdong Province in China.
He said China was prepared to deepen cooperation with PNG under the framework of the China-PNG Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the next 50 years.
Minister Pang emphasized that growing global challenges require stronger international cooperation.
“He emphasized that the pressing new challenges the world faces go far beyond any fences or the capability of any country or group of countries to deal with. The only reasonable choice for countries is to join hand in hand,” the media release stated.
He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and disaster prevention technologies.
Minister Pang said China, as the world’s largest renewable power producer, could play a unique role in supporting PNG’s energy transformation ambitions.
He added that China’s satellite technology capabilities could assist PNG in disaster prevention and mitigation through the provision of real-time satellite imagery.
Minister Pang further stated that the early signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on disaster risk reduction and emergency response — the text of which had already been agreed upon by both sides in 2024 — would further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sector.
The PNG Government welcomed the assistance and acknowledged China’s continued support for PNG across various sectors over the years.
The PNG Government greatly appreciated China’s timely and valuable support and reaffirmed its commitment to continue working together with China as partners for the betterment of both countries.
