Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has praised the long-standing success of Professor Lin Zhanxi and called for a major expansion of the Juncao technology partnership between Papua New Guinea and China following a high-level meeting with the pioneering scientist in Guangzhou.

Meeting with Professor Lin, Prime Minister Marape said the innovation had already proven its value in Papua New Guinea since being introduced in 1997 in Eastern Highlands Province.

He noted that almost 30 years later, the technology was still benefiting communities, improving livelihoods, and contributing to agriculture development in Papua New Guinea.

Prime Minister Marape said the decision by Professor Lin and Xi Jinping—then Governor of Fujian Province—to support the project in Papua New Guinea demonstrated extraordinary foresight.

“You and President Xi Jinping looked ahead into time and saw something many did not see,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“You saw that food security would become a major global issue, and that clean, green products and sustainable technology would be essential for the future.”

The Prime Minister said global population growth, shrinking arable land, climate change, desertification, and changing weather patterns were increasing pressure on food systems worldwide.

He warned that by 2050 the world population was expected to exceed 10 billion people, making food, water and energy the three most critical needs of humanity.

“Technology that produces good and healthy food is one of the premier needs of our world at present,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea was uniquely positioned to become a regional food basket through modern agricultural partnerships.

He said the country had abundant fertile land, year-round rain and sunshine, rich natural resources, and vast renewable energy potential through hydropower.

“Papua New Guinea has enough arable land. We have 365 days a year of rain and sunshine,” he said.

“We can partner Chinese technology, especially Juncao technology already in our country, and expand food production to support our people while exporting surplus produce to Asian markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines and China.”

Prime Minister Marape said many countries in the Asia-Pacific region faced rising food security risks because of growing populations and limited land, and Papua New Guinea could help meet that demand.

He said stronger agriculture cooperation with China would not only strengthen bilateral relations but also help secure the wider Pacific region against future food shortages.

“When Pacific nations face insecurity in food because of climate change and other pressures, Papua New Guinea can be a constant supply source for our region,” he said.

Professor Lin, in his remarks, said the Papua New Guinea Juncao project had already become an internationally recognised success story.

He said the programme had received global recognition for poverty reduction and sustainable development, including awards from major international institutions, and had become a model for development across the South Pacific region.

Professor Lin said the next goal was to transform the PNG experience into a global benchmark for developing countries.

Looking to the future, he revealed a significant new breakthrough involving cooperation between the China National Juncao Research Center and Shenzhen Energy Group to expand Juncao technology from agriculture into industrial and energy applications in Papua New Guinea.

He said the new initiative included Juncao cultivation for soil remediation, erosion control, premium biomass fuel, and future industrial raw materials.

Professor Lin said the cooperation would help Papua New Guinea tackle climate change, improve degraded land, and develop a carbon sink economy while laying the foundation for a green, low-carbon industrial future.

In a symbolic presentation, Professor Lin showed Prime Minister Marape a specially-made T-shirt produced using Juncao grass fibre blended with cotton and other materials, describing it as the first batch of its kind in the world.

He said future Juncao-based products could play an increasing role in clothing, food, housing, transport and environmental protection.

Professor Lin also presented a commemorative photo book titled Friendship Cross Mountains and the Seas, documenting 25 years of friendship between China and Papua New Guinea, particularly between Fujian Province and Eastern Highlands Province.

The publication includes Prime Minister Marape’s speech during the 20th anniversary of Juncao cooperation in 2021, along with photographs of his visits and bilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Marape welcomed the expanded vision for Juncao technology and said Papua New Guinea stood ready to deepen cooperation with China in agriculture, renewable energy, climate resilience, and sustainable industrial growth.

“How do we entrench Juncao technology, expand it, and make it bigger?” Prime Minister Marape asked.

“It can help save Papua New Guinea, and not just Papua New Guinea—it has the potential to help feed countries around us.”

He thanked Professor Lin for dedicating his life to creating practical technologies for humanity and said Papua New Guinea looked forward to a stronger future partnership with China built on food security, innovation, and shared prosperity.