Again interesting how some news accounts of what O'Neill said omit his references to China interest in "further" LNG:
O’Neill commends Chinese assistance
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has commended China for its continued assistance and for encouraging social and economic development in the Pacific region.
He made these remarks last Friday when addressing the second China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Co-operation Forum in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.
“Our bilateral relationship with China is growing and taking on new dimensions,” Mr O’Neill said.
“China is among few countries where we share important country-to-country and people-to-people relationships.
“This dialogue and the growing relationship China has with the Pacific Islands is wholly beneficial, just as is our bilateral relationship.’’
He acknowledged China’s interest in becoming a permanent development partner with the Pacific Islands Forum, and said PNG looked forward to welcoming it into the regional group.
“We will work closely to make this partnership as beneficial as possible,” Mr O’Neill said.
He also reaffirmed to the forum that China was a major development partner of PNG’s major resources.
“PNG looks forward to this relationship growing and diversifying. In turn, we hope we can also diversify our exports to China,” he said.
“I believe we can be an active partner in meeting not just your energy needs, but much of your important food requirements.
“It is an opportunity we are keen to take up,” Mr O’Neill said.
“We appreciate the generous Grant-In-Aid we receive, and other nations receive, under the Economic Development Co-operation program with our region.”
“In the case of Papua New Guinea, our relationship with China is much wider than the grant-in-aid program, beneficial though it is.”
“We are now receiving concessional loan funding for some of our major development projects, and the expansion of our major economic infrastructure, such as national highways and ports.
“This concessional funding means we are able to do even more in meeting the growing infrastructure demands of a growing population and a growing economy.”
Mr O’Neill said the investment links between the two countries had grown significantly in recent years with best known Ramu Nickel Project, in which a major China corporation was the major shareholder and project manager.
He said China was also a major and direct participant in the LNG project that would start export in 2014 with China being an initial and significant foundation customer.
“I know that a number of companies are currently looking at investing in our future oil and gas development, and our mining and other resource areas.
“We welcome that interest — and we will assist whenever possible in converting that interest to substantial investment.”
Mr O’Neill also thanked China for supporting PNG at regional and international meetings and in one such support PNG was chosen to host the 2018 APEC Leaders Forum.
“We will appreciate any support and assistance from the Government of the People’s Republic of China in hosting this APEC Leaders meeting in 2018,’’ said Mr O’Neill.