China applauds govt direction

Caption: Ambassador Ruiyou

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 11, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

CHINA'S Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Li Ruiyou lauded the government of Papua New Guinea National Government’s prioritised focus on roads, which he said was the path to economic growth and prosperity.

He made the comments during the ground breaking ceremony of the Hanuabada to Gerehu to 9 Mile road construction project, by sharing a Chinese saying with those present.

“Looking at what the National Government has done for roads during the past couple of years a Chinese saying comes to mind, which is to get rich one must build roads,” Ambassador Ruiyou said.

“China started its economic take-off with building roads, superhighways since the 1980s and 1990s and in the beginning of this century we have built a lot of high-speed railways.”

“Today we can boast that China’s economic growth has benefitted a great deal from building roads.”

He said that the road project would bring the same significance to the prosperity of PNG and the city.

“Though I have arrived here only recently, I am already impressed by the commitment and devotion of the PNG government and people for vigorously growing your economy and making social progress,” he said.

“PNG is not only a beautiful country with rich natural resources, but it has warm hearted people with vision and wisdom.”

“Today PNG is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with remarkable growth four years in a row.”

He added that it was commendable that the PNG government had been watching and converting economic growth into tangible benefits for the people.

“Through the delivery of free education, free health care, public services- the Chinese government sees PNG as a sincere friend, and an equally important partner for cooperation in the Pacific Islands Region,” the ambassador said.

Adding that the Chinese Government is well aware that infrastructure is vital to the country’s economic progress, and reiterated their commitment to joined hand with the country to improve infrastructure in country as partners to its development.