On July 31, a cultural program called “2026 China Charm — Lingnan Culture Meets Southern Highlands” opened at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby.
The event was organized by the Guangdong Provincial Government Information Office.

The timing is significant. This year marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Papua New Guinea, as well as the APEC “China Year.”
More than 600 people attended, including Papua New Guinea’s foreign affairs minister, the governor of the National Capital District, Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang, representatives of Chinese companies, members of the Chinese community, and teachers and students from Butuka Academy.

The Guangdong delegation brought a mix of traditional culture and modern products to the event.

There were performances of Cantonese opera, martial arts and traditional puppetry, along with displays of traditional crafts, local food and cultural merchandise.

The performances drew an enthusiastic response from the audience. Students at Butuka Academy called it the highest-profile artistic event the school has hosted since it was founded.

The event also featured a “Guangzhou Products” exhibition, showcasing technology made in Guangdong, including AI glasses and exoskeleton robots.
Papua New Guinea’s foreign affairs minister praised the friendship between the two countries and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the one-China principle.

Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang said the warm response reflected strong local interest in Chinese culture.

National Capital District Governor Tkatchenko also said he would attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen alongside the prime minister.