On the evening of December 19, Guangdong announced the first regular commercial direct route linking the Chinese mainland and Pacific Island countries. The flight, operated by China Southern Airlines, arrived at Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG), at 9:29 AM (local time) on December 20.
Walter Schunobelt, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of PNG, told GDToday that Guangdong had proven the economic potential that China could actually derive within China, and it can now extend to other countries or worldwide, and Papua New Guinea wants to be a part of that extension.
"So we're hoping that this particular flight happening now will open those opportunities for us and China," said Schunobelt.
PNG is the first Pacific island country to sign a memorandum of understanding and a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative with China. In October, during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China and PNG issued a joint statement declaring that the two sides agreed to open direct flights between Guangzhou and Port Moresby at an early date.
Guangdong and PNG have been deepening exchanges and cooperation in recent years. PNG has become Guangdong's largest trading partner in the Pacific island countries.
In June this year, Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong led a delegation to visit PNG. Prime Minister James Marape visited Guangdong in October after attending the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The two sides had in-depth exchanges promoting direct flights between the two places.
Reported by Hu Nan and Qin Shaolong from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Edited by Steven, Monica, and James
