Chinese vice premier arrives in Papua New Guinea for visit

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Tuesday arrived here for an official visit to Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the Pacific island nation's government.

Papua New Guinea is one of the first Pacific island countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, Li said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport.

Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1976, their relations have been growing steadily, he said.