Caption: New PNG students in Beijing on their way to Ambassador Momis’s residence for the welcoming dinner. Picture by Albert Tobby, Beijing

Ambassador: Bridge Gap Between PNG and China

By Mathew Yakai in Changchun, China

AMBASSADOR to China, John Momis has appealed to Papua New Guinea students studying in China to bridge the cultural and developmental gap between the two countries.

Speaking to 25 new PNG students on Chinese Government Scholarship on Tuesday 2nd Sep, 2008, Ambassador Momis emphasized that PNG students are in a better position to understand China well and this can help them promote the relationship between the two countries.

Momis challenged the students to learn Chinese language that will also help them fully understand the Chinese culture and people.

Speaking at the welcoming dinner at his residence in Beijing, Ambassador Momis encouraged the students to study hard, emphasizing that though education is a right, to be offered a full scholarship by the Chinese government is very rare.

He told the students to consider themselves as privileged and must have responsibility to their family, province, country and the promotion between the two countries.

Students were dispersed all over China to pursue various degrees. China currently has more then 40 students from PNG.

Present at the dinner were national Chinese staff of the PNG Embassy, former PNG Students studying in Beijing including Angelo Wak, Danniel Pepson, Billy Tomon, Albert Tobby and Hildagad Rai and the Acting First Secretary Ms. Liza Gabina.

Ambassadors’ family was also present.