Overview

Guangzhou‑based news agency PRNewswire reported on 13 November 2026 that trade and development ties between Guangdong, China and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are deepening across several sectors.

Seafood Trade Expansion

Local PNG seafood exporter Tony Lan explained that his company previously sold only a few hundred kilograms of wild‑caught mud crabs per week to the domestic market. After commencing exports to China, the business “exploded,” now moving 20 to 30 tons of mud crabs each week to Chinese cities such as Guangzhou. Lan noted that the surge in income has enabled families involved in the crab trade to improve housing, purchase televisions and acquire generators.

Education and Employment Linkages

In Port Moresby, 21‑year‑old Maureen works as a receptionist for a Chinese‑owned firm. She highlighted the difficulty many degree‑holding PNG graduates face in finding jobs, noting that despite lacking a degree she secured employment thanks to skills gained at Butuka Academy. The academy, constructed with support from Shenzhen under a sister‑city agreement with Port Moresby, now accommodates around 3,000 students and provides training in Microsoft Office, web applications and Excel, which Maureen uses daily.

Agricultural Technology Transfer – Juncao

Chinese grass‑based agricultural technology known as Juncao was introduced to PNG in the 1990s, initially for mushroom cultivation. Over three decades the technology diversified into livestock feed, fiber production and bio‑energy applications. It has been adopted by more than 9,000 farming households, directly benefiting approximately 30,000 people. Georgina, whose family were early adopters, described how the technology helped her re‑enter mushroom farming after a two‑year job search and later led her to work with a Shenzhen company exploring new uses for the grass.

Government Perspective

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop framed these exchanges as part of PNG’s broader development journey, stating that a traditionally rural economy seeking modernization must learn from China. He emphasized the importance of APEC for smaller economies like PNG, noting that the forum provides opportunities that PNG could not achieve alone.

Disclaimer

The press release is distributed under an arrangement with PRNewswire; PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for its content.