The Governments of Papua New Guinea and China have signed a Framework Agreement on Enhanced Economic Partnership aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. The agreement was signed on May 21, 2026, in Suzhou, China, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting. China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao and Papua New Guinea’s Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments. In a joint statement, both countries acknowledged the continued growth of bilateral economic and trade relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, featuring mutual respect and common development. The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic and trade cooperation through broader exchanges and collaboration in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both nations and their people. Both sides also acknowledged the completion of the Joint Feasibility Study on a proposed Free Trade Agreement between China and Papua New Guinea. The study will serve as an important reference point for future trade negotiations and practical cooperation initiatives. Under the agreement, Papua New Guinea and China will begin exploring new opportunities to strengthen trade and economic relations, with plans to launch further negotiations under the enhanced partnership framework as soon as possible. The two countries agreed that any future trade arrangement should be mutually beneficial while taking into account the different levels of development between the two nations. China also recognized Papua New Guinea’s development needs, particularly in trade capacity, as identified in the Joint Feasibility Study. Both countries are committed to working towards practical and fair outcomes in future negotiations and cooperation programs. The agreement further outlines plans to align development strategies and expand cooperation in a wide range of sectors while promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Both governments are also committed to strengthening coordination and collaboration through international platforms including the United Nations and the APEC.

The prime minister has responded to the Opposition Leader’s latest round of criticism on his government’s performance by saying the Opposition must come up with better alternatives policies instead of relying on constant criticism and political attacks. Prime Minister James Marape came out firing in an official statement released today, challenging the Opposition Leader James Nomane, and saying the Pangu-led Marape-Rosso Government remains focused on practical policies that are directly helping Papua New Guineans during one of the most difficult global economic periods in recent history. The Opposition Leader in a statement released earlier today, criticized the government saying it is not focused on the actual needs of the people, citing the extremely poor situation faced by the country’s health system, evident in places like the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) maternity ward as one of many examples, where often pregnant mothers have had to be attended to on the hospital floor. “Port Moresby General Hospital is the flagship of our national health system, and today we learn of more than 30 pregnant mothers are forced to receive maternity care on cold floors since February this year. Not in beds. Not in wards. On the floor,” said Nonane. Meanwhile, the prime minister attributed the current poor progress of things to global issues that are affecting the economic progress of the country, leading to certain areas in the receiving end of the service delivery mechanism, being badly affected. He said Papua New Guinea, like many countries, is facing the effects of global instability, including ongoing conflict and uncertainty in the Middle East, which has caused major increases in international fuel prices. “The world is going through a very difficult economic period. Global fuel prices increased sharply because of international conflict that no country, including Papua New Guinea (PNG), anticipated,” Prime Minister Marape said. “As a responsible Government, we made the decision to absorb the shock through direct fuel subsidies to protect our households, SMEs, transport operators, businesses, and ordinary citizens.” On the health front, Prime Minister Marape said significant progress has also been made in healthcare, particularly in specialist medical services with PNG now witnessing major advancements in heart treatment, kidney care, and cancer treatment facilities. “For the first time in our country’s history, we are carrying out kidney transplant procedures and increasingly advanced heart surgery treatments locally,” he said. “These are major improvements in our healthcare system that directly benefit our people.” But the Opposition Leader does not see it the same way, saying in his statement that the Marape Government has failed the health budget. Although some progress has been made, more areas need attention. “The crisis at PMGH is not a funding mystery — it is government’s failure to deliver,” stated Nomane, alleging that budget warrants are being selectively released. “Capital infrastructure allocations are not reaching hospitals. Procurement bottlenecks mean essential beds, equipment, and consumables sit undelivered while women give birth on concrete floors. Millions are spent on crony consultants and administrative overheads while understaffed midwives run wards without adequate tools. The quality of spending, not merely the quantity, is the real scandal.” In the meantime, Marape challenging the Opposition to present serious alternative policies instead of relying on political rhetoric. “Our policies are delivering practical support through school fee assistance, household relief, fuel subsidies, healthcare improvements, roads, and economic support,” he said. “The Opposition continues to criticize, but has failed to present practical alternative solutions for the country. They should be offering credible alternatives instead of simply trying to mislead the public.” As a response to this, Nomane said the Opposition suggests direct facility funding to bypass the bottlenecks of central procurement, and place health budgets under accountable hospital management boards. In addition, a Maternal Health Infrastructure Audit, followed by emergency capital deployment to the ten most under-resourced facilities, must be conducted. “Tying the health budget warrants to verified delivery outcomes is the way forward to end the practice of funds sitting in Treasury while patients sit on floors,” the Opposition Leader stressed.

Papua New Guinea athlete Tony Mitu Jnr will become the second athlete to represent the country internationally in the sport of Wushu. Tony departed the country on Thursday alongside team leader Iammo Launa, to compete at the Oceania Wushu Invitational Championships in Brisbane, where he will contest the men’s 70kg Sanda division. The championships, hosted by Kung Fu Wushu Australia, run from May 21 to 25, and are supported by the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Federation and the International Wushu Federation. For the Bougainville-born athlete, the tournament is significant as it will be both his first international trip and his first appearance representing PNG on the international stage. Coach Andrew Molen praised Tony’s commitment and discipline during preparations. “In fact, he turned up at training on his birthday two weeks ago and said, ‘bihain ok yumi hamamas’ (we will celebrate later).” “It takes a lot of discipline and focus, and I’m pleased with his dedication and his trust in me to prepare him,” Molen said. Molen also noted that Tony worked hard to manage his weight in order to qualify for the 70kg category. Tony’s martial arts background is in the Shotokan Karate, where he trains under Julius Piku Sensei at the East Gate Karate Academy. He has competed nationally in sport karate point-style competitions and has experience sparring under full-contact rules. He was previously part of Team PNG’s karate train-on squad for the 2023 Pacific Games but missed selection after the team was dropped for failing to meet certain requirements. Since then, he has been identified by the Kung Fu Wushu Association of PNG as a promising athlete for Sanda competition. Molen acknowledged Julius Piku Sensei for supporting Tony’s transition into Wushu competition. “Tony remains a karate student regardless of which combat sport he competes in. His participation brings much pride to his club and his teacher.” Meanwhile, President of the association, Geoff Hui, said the organization was proud to have PNG represented at the regional championships. “We are looking forward to seeing Tony compete, and at the same time we aim to strengthen our connection with the Wushu community in Australia and Oceania.” The association has been working closely with regional and global counterparts to promote the sport in the region, with PNG being one of the Oceania countries targeted for Wushu development. Team leader Iammo Launa said the sport could develop further in the country with continued support from international partners and stakeholders. He said the championships would not only provide exposure for athletes but also create opportunities for discussions among sports administrators to strengthen the development of Wushu across the region. The association also acknowledged the support of High-Performance Sport PNG for assisting Tony with training facilities, recovery, and physiotherapy sessions ahead of the tournament.

In a significant boost for grassroots economic development, the Koiari Local Level Government Special Purpose Authority (KLLGSPA) has pledged its support to empower local women's groups operating within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. KLLGSPA Chairman Paul Noe and Program Manager Charlie Ealu formalized this backing to help women across the region gain the financial independence needed to support their families. The commitment was put into action this week with a K20,000 funding presentation divided equally between two women's associations in the Koiari LLG constituency. Reflecting on the purpose of the K10,000 checks given to each group, the leadership noted that the event was to provide funding support to women’s group in the Sogeri plateau. "Last year, when we launched the Maninumu women’s group, we made some commitment to support the group. We are here today to deliver to our commitment to support the association to help our mothers find economic independence through our development package fund. Also on that note, KSPA is also honoured to assist the Sogeri Floriculture Association." Mr. Ealu also underlined that the authority intends to scale up this financial assistance in the coming years. Beyond enterprise funding, Chairman Noe reiterated that the authority's broader mandate involves driving progress across all key sectors in the Koiari LLG constituency, reaffirming their dedication to delivering essential services in education, health, religion, and social development. Welcoming the initiative, Koiari LLG President Willie Wavi thanked the KSPA for its active community engagement and pledged that the local government will continue working alongside the authority to bring meaningful development to the people of Koiari.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has recently announced the immediate restoration of 8, 000 teachers whose salaries were affected by an auto suspension on Pay 10 which occurred on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026. Acting Chairman Maini Mike Ugaia, emphasized that urgent action is required from provincial authorities to ensure a smooth resumption of payments. The auto suspension was initially set for Pay 7 but was postponed after preliminary data indicated that 29,000 teachers nationwide would be impacted. TSC management intervened to reduce disruption, ultimately narrowing the number of affected teachers to 8, 000. Provincial TSC Advisors and Provincial Education Advisors have been directed to collect Resumption of Duty Summary Sheets from affected teachers and forward them to TSC Headquarters without delay. Teachers in provinces severely impacted by Cyclone Maila are exempted, with salaries maintained to support ongoing recovery efforts. According to TSC’s media statement, the Commission also called on provincial officers to submit verified lists of schools physically affected by the cyclone to ensure eligible teachers continue receiving uninterrupted pay. “The Commission reiterates its commitment to teacher welfare and urges swift compliance from all provincial authorities to minimize further financial distress for teachers.” The Teaching Service Commission is the statutory authority and employer of all teachers in Papua New Guinea, dedicated to maintaining professional standards and the welfare of the teaching service.

PNG Power Limited has announced a scheduled 24-hour shutdown of its Easipay system as part of a major upgrade aimed at improving service reliability and customer experience nationwide. The maintenance exercise will begin at 11:00PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and is expected to conclude at 11:00PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026. During the maintenance period, all Easipay services will be temporarily unavailable, meaning customers will not be able to purchase electricity tokens. PNG Power said the upgrade is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize the Easipay platform to support faster transactions, stronger system resilience, and more stable long-term service delivery. PNG Power Chief Commercial Officer Lasith Bandara said the increasing demand on the Easipay platform made the upgrade necessary. “The Easipay platform has grown significantly in usage, and this upgrade is critical to ensuring it remains stable, secure, and responsive,” Bandara said. “Our technical teams will be working around the clock during the maintenance window to implement enhancements that will improve performance and reduce future disruptions.” “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we carry out this essential work.” Customers are being urged to purchase sufficient Easipay credit before the scheduled shutdown to avoid interruptions to their electricity supply during the maintenance period. PNG Power said customers requiring assistance or further information can contact the National Call Centre on 116, email callcentre@pngpower.com.pg, or reach the utility provider via WhatsApp on 7000 1009.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Papua New Guinea (CCEP PNG) has been confirmed as the Platinum Sponsor and Exclusive Non-Alcoholic Beverage Partner of the 70th Goroka Show, with the announcement made during the Sponsors Dinner held in Goroka on 1st May 2026.The iconic cultural event will run from 18–20 September 2026 at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, bringing together tribes, communities and international visitors to showcase traditional sing-sings, cultural attire and Papua New Guinea’s rich and diverse heritage. CCEP PNG Country Manager Tim Solly said the partnership reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting cultural celebrations across the country, noting that these events highlight what makes Papua New Guinea unique and bring communities together across generations. Regional Sales Manager Highlands Guthridge Songan also acknowledged the Goroka Show Committee for its dedication in sustaining the event for 70 years, saying CCEP PNG is proud to support its continued success and cultural significance.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has welcomed major progress in strategic cooperation between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and France following high-level discussions, where the redevelopment of the Rabaul Port was one of the agendas.The discussions were held on Tuesday, 19th May, in Paris with officials from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), French Government representatives, and European development partners. The discussions focused on several key areas of cooperation, including: redevelopment of the Port of Rabaul, renewable energy partnerships, climate and biodiversity conservation, green finance, and future economic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and France. Prime Minister Marape thanked France, AFD, the European Union and the European Investment Bank for their growing partnership with Papua New Guinea. “We came here not to ask for anything, but to say thank you for your partnership with Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We appreciate the work France and AFD are doing in our country, particularly in helping us build infrastructure, protect biodiversity, transition towards clean energy, and create a better future for our people and our planet.” Prime Minister Marape said one of the major outcomes of the meeting was confirmation that financing negotiations for the redevelopment of the Rabaul Port in East New Britain province, were now nearing completion. The Prime Minister said the project had recently received National Executive Council (NEC) approval and was expected to move towards signing in the coming weeks.

Over 20 Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) officers in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea were recently taken through two major training programs to assist them perform better in their duties. The IRC, under its reform and decentralization agenda, successfully conducted two major compliance and audit training programs for officers from the Highlands Region under the Regional Operations Division (ROD). The training sessions were facilitated by the Debt Strategy Policy Division (DSPD) led by Ms. Lorraine Yainter and Ms. Joanne Pokiton, followed by the Audit Strategy and Planning Division led by Acting Assistant Commissioner Mr. Casper Marru and team. The week-long training focused on debt management, audit strategies, compliance planning, SOPs, risk management, amended tax legislations, and the practical use of compliance tools to strengthen revenue collection and taxpayer compliance across the region. “A total of 23 officers attended the training, including Provincial Managers, Senior Compliance Officers, and newly recruited Compliance Officers,” stated the Acting Commissioner of IRC, Mr. Sam Loi The Director Highlands Region Mr. Collin Kuti thanked the facilitators for imparting valuable knowledge and skills to officers and requested more specialized trainings in the future to further strengthen regional capacity. The IRC will continue rolling out staff capacity building program, decentralization of operations, and improving tax compliance administration throughout Papua New Guinea.

Newmont Lihir Gold Ltd has delivered the highest first instalment corporate tax payment to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) this year all thanks to good global gold prices.The Acting Commissioner General (CG) Mr. Sam Loi upon receiving the cheque recently, acknowledged Newmont, Lihir Gold Ltd for delivering the highest first instalment corporate tax payment of K852 million — a substantial increase from K92.4 million paid during the corresponding period last year, and the highest first instalment contribution recorded in the sector to date. The Acting CG stated that the strong outcome reflects the value of constructive engagement and close collaboration between the IRC and the extractive sector, particularly through transparent administration in accordance with prevailing market-based valuation principles under the tax legislation. He noted that the assessment was driven by prevailing international gold prices, with the IRC applying current market value benchmarks to ensure that the taxes assessed and paid accurately reflect the sector’s earnings performance. He further emphasized that the advance corporate tax system is grounded in the principle of paying tax in line with current-year quarterly earnings and profitability reflecting real-time profitability and economic activity. “This result demonstrates what is possible when there are transparency, compliance, and mutual confidence between the State and industry. Strong commodity prices are expected to translate into fair and timely returns to the country, and the IRC remains duty bound to administering the tax system with integrity, consistency, and commercial awareness,” the Acting CG said. The payment highlights the growing contribution of the resources sector to national revenue and reinforces the importance of predictable tax administration, responsible corporate citizenship, and continued partnership in supporting PNG’s economic future.

Young PNG talent Phillip Coates is determined to make every NRL opportunity count in 2026 as he pushes for a dream debut with the PNG Kumuls at the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).The 19-year-old winger recently experienced the intensity of top-flight rugby league during his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos at Magic Round, where he faced a fired-up Warriors crowd in one of the game’s biggest annual spectacles. Despite admitting he was initially overwhelmed by the pace of the match, Coates still managed to produce a memorable highlight that caught the attention of fans and selectors alike. The rookie soared above defenders to collect a bullet pass from Reece Walsh before producing a skilful offload that bounced perfectly into the hands of Broncos captain Adam Reynolds for a crucial try. “It was very surreal,” Coates said after the match. “I missed out on a couple in the first half, so I knew I needed to be better. To catch that one and help set up Reyno’s try was pretty special.” The teenager laughed as he reflected on the play. “Lucky he was on the inside and scored the try, so it made me look good.” Although Brisbane fell short on the scoreboard, Coates said making his NRL debut during Magic Round was a moment he would never forget. “It was a great atmosphere with so many people there.” “It’s definitely a lot faster than Q-Cup. In the first half it felt really quick, but I settled into the game more during the second half.” Adding to the emotional occasion was the presence of his older brother, Melbourne Storm star Xavier Coates, who flew to Brisbane to present Phillip with his debut jersey before kick-off. The moment carried extra significance for the young winger, who credits his brother as one of his biggest mentors. “It was pretty special having him present my jersey.” “He told me to keep things simple and not change anything just because it was a big game. He said to treat it like any other game.” Phillip said Xavier’s journey continues to inspire him both on and off the field. “He is someone I always go to for advice. He is still young himself but has been through a lot in rugby league, so I really value everything he tells me.” The rising star now hopes to follow directly in his brother’s footsteps by earning selection for Papua New Guinea at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.  Coates represented the Junior Kumuls in 2024 and says wearing PNG colours gave him a deeper understanding of what representing the nation truly means. “It’s definitely been on my mind,” he said. “I would love to represent the Kumuls in the World Cup, but I know I’ve just got to keep performing and keep improving.” The young winger is focused on building confidence and consistency, hoping more NRL opportunities will come his way later this season. “I’m just working hard on the little things in Q-Cup and hopefully I can get a couple more games.” The PNG Kumuls will begin their RLWC2026 campaign at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, taking on Lebanon on October 17 before facing Samoa on October 24. They will then travel to Wollongong to face England at WIN Stadium on October 30 in what could prove to be a decisive clash for a finals berth. While competition for spots at the Broncos remains strong, Coates continues to impress in the Queensland Cup with the Burleigh Bears, scoring seven tries in six games this season. If his development continues at its current pace, the young flyer may soon find himself living another childhood dream- pulling on the Kumuls jersey on rugby league’s biggest stage.

A local community in Markham district in Morobe, capable of producing up to three tonnes of dry cocoa beans monthly, is entering a prosperous new era.Driven by the Markham District Development Authority (MDDA) to unlock its full potential, the community recently celebrated the launch of the Sagub Feeder Road, a solar water supply system, and Wampua Elementary School. Funded and initiated by the MDDA in 2025, these projects are set to transform local cocoa production, the backbone of the community's livelihood. MDDA Chairman (MP) Koni Iguan emphasized that these developments are about driving economic growth through agriculture, noting, “The area has proven potential in cocoa production. With proper infrastructure like road access, farmers can now increase supply, reach markets easily, and improve their income.” For years, farmers faced gruelling challenges, carrying heavy cocoa bags up to four kilometers to reach the nearest highway, which severely limited production and discouraged expansion. The completion of the feeder road has finally changed that reality, providing direct highway access and opening doors for increased production and better market reach. Complementing this, the solar-powered water supply system has vastly improved daily living conditions, freeing families from hours of searching for water so they can focus on productive farming. Meanwhile, the establishment of Wampua Elementary School secures long-term development, keeping children educated locally while supporting the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. With this vital infrastructure in place, community leaders report a surge of interest among farmers looking to expand their cocoa blocks and transform the area into the district's leading cocoa hub. Local businessman Mathew Yapi, who operates a family-joint-venture cocoa fermentary, shared that the new road has already catalyzed business growth. “Because of the road access, we have gone into a joint venture to expand our cocoa fermentaries and also invest in Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) to support transport,” Yapi said. He noted that if market conditions remain favorable, local producers are eager to scale up even further, adding, “If cocoa prices maintain, we will need support from the district to guide us in getting an export license so we can export Markham cocoa to overseas markets.” Backed by strong leadership and rising local investment, Wampua is now firmly on track to turn its agricultural potential into a sustainable economic future.