From airport to APEC Haus - China Harbour paves way for Summit

The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea is in the global spotlight, with some of the world's most powerful leaders gathered there this week for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. 

Ela Beach and the APEC Haus site [Photo provided by China Harbour PNG to China Plus]

The event is also providing an opportunity to highlight a series of Chinese aid projects taking place in PNG, including a new airport highway and Ela Beach road nearby the APEC site, which have both been built by a Chinese firm, China Harbour. 

CRI's Chi Huiguang has more. 

Driving from the Airport to the Ela Beach road the APEC Haus site, the international standard highway shows the confidence authorities in Port Moresby have in hosting the upcoming Summit. 

The redeveloped Airport Highway in Port Moresby, PNG [Photo: China Plus/Sun Wensheng]

Charles Abel is the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer of Papua New Guinea. 

Charles Abel, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer of Papua New Guinea [Photo: China Plus/ Li Dayong]

"Look, China has been a wonderful partner for Papua New Guinea, for many years. And China has no hesitation when Papua New Guinea put his hand up to hold APEC 2018. China came forward very quickly, and offered its help in a number of ways. And of course, they stepped in and helped us upgrade some of the main roads infrastructure that leads from the airport all the way down to where APEC Haus is. " 

Ela Beach and Ela Beach Road constructed by China Harbour PNG [Photo provided by China Harbour PNG to China Plus]

Night scene of Ela Beach area in Port Moresby, PNG [Photo provided by China Harbour PNG to China Plus]

The projects have been built by Chinese firm China Harbour. 

Justin Tkatchenko, Papua New Guinea's Minister in charge of this year's APEC Summit, says the roads are blessings from China. 

The Airport Highway during the repairing construction [Photo provided by China Harbour PNG to China Plus]

The previous airport highway was over 30 years old, succombing to wear and tear. 

Following China Harbour's repair work, the road has taken an entirely new look. 

"We have been given such solid support from the Chinese government, over 300 million kina worth of support in infrastructure and the development, and in the programs and activities to Papua New Guinea to host this event. So China is a major player. It is also a major supporter for the success of the event. " 

Besides support for the APEC Leaders Meeting, the aide projects will also create lasting benefits for the locals. 

PNG workers in the road project of China Harbour [Photo: China Plus/ Chi Huiguanmg]

Maile Naile is with China Harbour's PNG offices. 

"They have done a lot of work in PNG, plenty of opportunities that China has given to PNG. And like, some locals like we have the opportunities to come in and work. They have jobs for us nationals in PNG. " 

Daniel Somungai, Safety officer for road construction with China Harbour in Port Moresby [Photo: China Plus/ Zou Mincheng]

Daniel Somungai, Safety officer for road construction with China Harbour in Port Moresby, says they take pride in their work. 

"As an individual of Papua New Guinea, I am very proud with the China Harbour Company, who is doing and who has done very great, especially for Port Moresby. And on these projects, very fast, very good quality, in a short time period, and I believe, it will stay for another 50 years. I think the whole Papua New Guinea is happy especially the governor is also happy and I am very proud. " 

Wang Yanyu, General Manager of China Harbour PNG company [Photo: China Plus/ Li Kuo]

Wang Yanyu, General Manager of China Harbour PNG, says three college students from PNG who were studying in China specifically asked to return to their home country to help with the project. 

"We asked them why they would rather choose the airport highway project than others. They replied that the airport highway is preparing for the upcoming APEC summit. It is a main raod in the capital. All the state leaders attending the summit will travel on this road. They just wanted to join in the project to contribute their share." 

The airport project is one of a number of Chinese-backed projects which are currently taking place in Port Moresby and other locations in Papua New Guinea.