Zhao Lijian Photo: VCG

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday that any attempt to attack, smear China and Papua New Guinea (PNG) relations or drive a wedge between the two countries is futile, and reiterated their profound traditional friendship.

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, made the remarks at a press conference on Monday in response to a question regarding Australia media's misleading report claiming the upgrading of Papua New Guinea's naval base helps to counter China's challenge in the region.  

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported last week that an Australian company has been awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to redevelop Papua New Guinea's main naval base on Manus Island.

The report cited the head of Papua New Guinea's Defence Force, Major General Gilbert Toropo as saying that the upgrade would significantly improve PNG's maritime security capabilities. 

"China's growing presence in the region presented 'a challenge' for PNG," Toropo was quoted as saying. 

Zhao pointed out that the Foreign Ministry had noticed the report and public clarifying statements made by PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Toropo in the mainstream media of PNG.

"This is not the first time that the relevant Australian media has hyped up the so-called [China-threat theory] by tricks of garbling quote out of context and misinterpreting and that it may not be the last time the media do this," Zhao noted.

Some media were keen to create topics out of nothing, stir up anti-China sentiment and sow discord between China and other countries out of their own shameful political motives, which is a poor practice and lacks professionalism and work ethics, Zhao said.

China and PNG enjoy profound traditional friendship and sound development of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Any attempt to attack, smear their ties or drive a wedge between China and PNG will be futile, Zhao said.

Prime Minister James Marape has on Wednesday refuted statements in the Australian Media purportedly by Toropo that the growing Chinese presence was a challenge to Papua New Guinea's security.

He said that "Papua New Guinea continues to manage our relationships under the [One China Principle] and the respect and good will is mutual."

"I do not perceive China as a security threat, but rather as an important development, investment and trade partner with shared values conducted under mutual friendship and understanding," the PM said.

On Friday, Toropo corrected the statement made to Australian media, saying PNG maintains a close relationship with Beijing.

Global Times