Major joint mining project testifies to milestone in China, Papua New Guinea cooperation

MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday attended a ceremony to celebrate crucial progress made on a major joint mining project between China and Papua New Guinea.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L) shakes hands with a Papua New  Guinean worker during a celebration ceremony of the Ramu nickel  project by China Metallurgical Group Corp., in Port Moresby, Papua  New Guinea, Nov. 4, 2009. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and Papua  New Guinean Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu attended the  celebration ceremony here on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

Leaders from both countries hailed the ceremony, held at the Chinese Embassy to Papua New Guinea, as a milestone in bilateral cooperation.

The Ramu Nico project, located in the province of Madang, is one of the biggest nickel and cobalt mines operated by Chinese companies. It also is China's biggest investment project in the South Pacific island nations.