North China's Shanxi province and West Highlands Province in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea signed a memorandum of understanding on developing friendly relationship on March 22 in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Shanxi Governor Jin Xiangjun and West Highlands Province Governor Wai Rapa. They also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Shanxi Provincial Geological Prospecting Bureau and West Highlands Province. 

Jin extended a warm welcome to Rapa and his delegation. He briefly introduced Shanxi as the birthplace of Chinese civilization, a pleasant tourist destination, a resource-rich mining area, and an open hub that is embracing the world. 

Jin expressed the willingness to use the signing of the memorandum of understanding as an opportunity to further strengthen friendly exchanges between the two provinces, promote fruitful cooperation, and contribute to the development of China-Papua New Guinea relations. 

Rapa echoed the willingness to enhance exchanges and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as energy, mining, trade, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, and infrastructure, aiming for complementary advantages and mutual development.