Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy and Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu attended Papua New Guinea's (PNG) 50th independence anniversary celebrations from Monday to Wednesday. He was there at the invitation of the government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

During the visit, Huang met with PNG Governor-General Bob Dadae and Prime Minister James Marape.

Extending congratulations on PNG's 50th independence anniversary, Huang said China and PNG, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, have achieved steady development in bilateral relations, yielding fruitful results in cooperation in various areas.

Noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he called on both sides to further enrich the connotation of the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership and push bilateral ties to a new level.

PNG has always attached great importance to developing its relations with China and firmly adhered to the one-China principle, the PNG side said. They added that the commitment will not waver in the future.

Thanking China for its long-term support for PNG's economic and social development, the PNG side pledged to continue to strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields, deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and better benefit the people of both countries.