Papua New Guinea and China will hold the inaugural PNG-China Business Forum and Trade Expo in Guangzhou, China, on Oct. 20 and 21, 2026, Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru announced on 27 May.
Maru said the event would mark the first business forum jointly hosted by the two countries following 50 years of bilateral relations.
"While we have had the PNG-Australia Business Forum for the last 41 years, it is time we have one with China, which is our biggest and most important trading partner," Maru said.
He said the forum and trade expo are expected to rotate annually between Papua New Guinea and China as part of the government's push to strengthen trade and investment ties with Beijing.
The Ministry and Department of International Trade and Investment will oversee the event in coordination with the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy, private sector groups, small and medium enterprises, and government agencies.
Maru said the forum is expected to attract more Chinese foreign direct investment into Papua New Guinea while allowing PNG businesses to promote investment opportunities across various sectors.
The minister said details of the event would be finalized and announced later.
He said organizers are targeting around 500 delegates from each country, bringing the total expected attendance to 1,000 participants.
The event will coincide with the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, regarded as the world's largest biannual trade fair.
"This way, our delegates will also attend this important fair, which will feature tens of thousands of suppliers and a vast array of global supply chain products," Maru said.
Meanwhile, Maru said he had instructed Dr. Clement Waine to lead efforts to establish a PNG-China Business Council with assistance from PNG Ambassador to China Dr. Thaddeus Kambanei, the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, and affiliated chambers across China.
