Dr. Nicholas Mann, Secretary for Health,

Dr. Kaii Dagam, Director of Curative Division,

Dr. Alphonse Tay, Chief Executive Officer of

the Port Moresby General Hospital,

Prof. Du Yuehua, leader of the Chinese Medical Team,

Friends from media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, it is with great pleasure that I hand over the 3rd batch of medicine and medical instruments on behalf of Chinese Government to Secretary for Health Dr. Nicholas Mann. I am very pleased to note that within less than one year's time since I assumed the office of Ambassador of China, I handed over 3 batches of medicine and medical equipments to the General Hospital in POM. This manifested fully the friendship of the Chinese people to the PNG brothers and sisters.

The Chinese medical Team started working at Port Moresby General Hospital from October 2002. They worked together with their PNG colleagues and learned from and helped each other and benefited from each other's medical experience. At the same time, they have all improved their English. This will be more helpful in their future work. In October or November this year, the current Chinese medical team will finish their term of service and go back to China, and a new Chinese will come to replace them. I am sure they will leave Port Moresby with a deep impression and a fond memory of your beautiful country and the friends they have made.

I'm also very happy to inform you that the relations between our two countries have progressed very soundly. The trade volume of last year reached almost 300 million US dollars, which is a 56% increase than that of last year. The Chinese assistance to PNG has accumulated to 600 million Renminbi yuan since the establishment of diplomatic relations. A number of new aid projects are to be implemented shortly, such as Papa Lealea Road upgrading project, the maintenance of the Government House, the reconstruction of UNITEC mathematics and computers building, and the students dormitory and teachers house of Vudal University. Especially in early February, Prime Minister Sir Micheal Somare paid an official visit to China and was warmly welcomed by the Chinese leaders and people. During his visit, Chinese Government provided another 30 million yuan Renminbi grant to PNG, and several agreements or MOUs were signed in the field of mining, fishery, agriculture and education. The Chinese Metallurgical Construction Corporation signed a framework agreement with the PNG companies concerned for the exploration of the Ramu Nickel mine. If this project is accomplished, it will certainly benefit our two peoples.

And not long ago the Chinese Red Cross sent 20,000 US dollars in cash to the flood stricken people in PNG for disaster relief. The money is not much, but it symbolizes the concern and friendship of the Chinese people to your people. We hope, with the concerted efforts the PNG government and people will overcome the disasters caused by the flood and rebuild their homestead soon.

I also want to use this opportunity to let you know that every year, China conducts many TCDC training courses including some medical courses such as the treatment for rheumatic diseases with combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine, on tropical disease control, and on Chinese acupuncture, etc. You are most welcome to send some doctors to attend such kind of training courses to learn the medical skills to serve your people in the future.

Finally, I should thank the Health Department and the General Hospital for taking good care of the Chinese doctors. I believe the medical cooperation between our two countries will be more fruitful with each passing day.

Thank you.