In 2013, the relations between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea maintained steady growth on the whole.
The two countries enjoyed close high-level exchanges. In October, Speaker of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea Theodore Zurenuoc visited China. In November, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill came to China for the second China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum and met with Vice Premier Wang Yang. In January, Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan visited Papua New Guinea. In July, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Rimbink Pato, Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, on the sidelines of the East Asia foreign ministers' meetings in Brunei. In August, Li Qiangmin, Special Envoy for China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, paid a working visit to Papua New Guinea. In January, Minister for Defense Fabian Pok visited China.
Cooperation in business, energy, resources and health made new progress. The Integrated Government Information Network and the Students Dormitories Project of University of Goroka built with Chinese concessional loans were well underway. The Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Mine Project jointly developed by China Metallurgical Group Corporation and Papua New Guinea officially went into operation. The sixth Chinese medical aid team started working in Papua New Guinea. A medical team from Guangdong Province offered free medical services during its visit to Papua New Guinea and was welcomed by locals.
