Xi reaffirms aid for academy in Papua New Guinea

President Xi Jinping and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O'Neill attend the opening ceremony of the Butuka Academy, Nov 16, 2018. (Photo/Xinhua)

China will continue to provide necessary support and assistance for the development of Butuka Academy, a school project that has received Chinese aid in Papua New Guinea.

President Xi Jinping made the remark in a letter of reply to the academy in the Pacific island country, which he visited in November 2018, according to a news release published on Monday.

In the letter, Xi recalled his attendance at the opening ceremony of the academy and gave credit to its achievements, saying that he was glad to learn that the academy has recently overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed classes.

In its letter to Xi, the Butuka Academy expressed sincere gratitude for his concern over the academy's development, and spoke highly of China's contribution to promoting international cooperation in the global fight against COVID-19.

Thanks to China's help, the academy has overcome the impact of the pandemic and begun operating again, the letter said.

The academy, established in 1984, now consists of a kindergarten, primary school and secondary school in a total area of more than 50,000 square meters, following its 2018 reconstruction with Chinese government help.

The academy has enrolled some 3,000 students and won praise from the local government and public for improving local educational standards.

In recent years, cultural and education exchanges between China and Papua New Guinea have been increasingly frequent and regional cooperation has boomed, as shown by the Butuka Academy, observers said.