Papua New Guinean FM highlights education project with China on enhancing friendship

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko highlighted an education program partnered with China when speaking about forging closer people-to-people relations between the two countries in an interview.

Speaking at a panel interview session with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in east China's city of Xiamen on Wednesday, Tkatchenko spoke positively about his country's cooperation with China at all levels.

"We've seen some really great projects come forward with our partnership with China and also our sister city relationships with Shenzhen and with other provinces like Guangdong [Shenzhen City in Guangdong and other Chinese provinces] that have really inspired to bring our two countries closer together," he said. On people-to-people exchanges, Tkatchenko spoke of a school project funded by China as a key bridge to connect the two peoples, while providing thousands of Papua New Guineans with quality education each year.

"The people to people relationship between China and Papua New Guinea is very important. And it has come out through an investment into a school called Butuka Academy which is a school of excellence and a friendship school between China and Papua New Guinea which educates over 3,000 Papua New Guineans every year from elementary, primary to high school. It's a state-of-the-art school as well," said Tkatchenko.

Noting that the secondary school and primary school of the Butuka Academy are teaching Chinese classes, the minister proudly said that some of the students there can speak Chinese as fluently as native speakers.

"It has become a great success since the construction of that school and the opening of the school by the Chinese President in 2018. Now that shows you the dedication and the will and the need of partnership in this sector, which has really enhanced our relationship with China in our future generations. And that's going to be going on for a long, long time. And we look forward to the other projects as well, in health, and also in infrastructure development, roads and hotels and many other things that China's private sector and government have contributed to," he said.

Papua New Guinean FM highlights education project with China on enhancing friendship

The Highland Games 2026 arrived in Beijing, delivering a lively celebration of Scottish culture, traditions and sport, along with renewed optimism for Scotland's long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup.

The event, a staple among Scottish expat communities around the world, took place last week and featured traditional music alongside athletic competitions. Members of the "Tartan Army", fans of the Scotland national football team, gathered to cheer on their national football team ahead of its first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Scottish football fans in the Chinese capital have met the moment with a dash of excitement and a healthy dose of the self-deprecating humor that Scots are known for.

"We're going to win it. Why not? In typical Scotland fashion, we will probably suffer against the minnows and then play great against the five-time champions, Brazil. That's how it works for us, usually," said Fraser, a Scotland fan who joined a Scottish bagpipes and drumming performance at the event.

Scotland has been drawn in a challenging group alongside Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. While expectations remained cautious, some fans are kindling a flame of hope for an unexpected victory.

"It's a tough group. Obviously, Brazil and Morocco are going to be hard, and Haiti in the first game, but you never know. We'll give it a shot, and like Scotland, if it's going to be glorious failure then that's a nice way to go as well," said Mike, a Scotland fan.

"Surely, everyone wants us to win. Is that going to happen? Oh, I would hope so, but probably not," said Scott, another Scotland fan.

"As a Scot, I'm an eternal pessimist. So, I have aspirations that we might get a point off Haiti and we'll call that a good result. No, but I'm really looking forward to it. I just about remember Tom Boyd scoring an own goal in the '98 World Cup, which is the last one we've been involved in," quipped Graeme Wallace, managing director of the British Chamber of Commerce in China.

The excitement in Beijing reflects an uproar in Scotland, as the country's football fans gear up for their first World Cup in a generation.

Scotland fans in Beijing rally ahead of first appearance in World Cup since 1998