China on Tuesday called on Papua New Guinea to facilitate Chinese investment in the island country in southwest Pacific Ocean.

"We hope Papua New Guinea will provide conveniences to Chinese business investment in your country and seek common growth," Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang told the visiting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Michael Somare.

Li highlighted Papua New Guinea's role as China's important trade partner and investment destination among Pacific island countries.

Bilateral trade totaled about 860 million U.S. dollars in 2008, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Somare said his country would like to improve the investment environment, promote mutually beneficial cooperation with China and make positive efforts to advance bilateral cooperation and enhance friendship.

Somare is leading a delegation to Beijing after his stop in China's port city Tianjin, where he met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the New Champions 2010, also known as the Summer Davos.

This was the second meeting between Li and Somare as Li visited Port Moresby, capital and the largest city of Papua New Guinea, last November.

In their meeting in Diaoyutai Guesthouse in western Beijing later Tuesday, Li stressed the good momentum of bilateral relations in recent years, saying the two countries maintained frequent high-level exchanges and sought pragmatic cooperation in a wide range of fields.

China and Papua New Guinea shared many political stances, complemented each other economically and enjoyed a huge potential for enhanced relationship, Li said.

Looking to the future, Li said China would like to increase exchange of visits, expand trade and investment, explore cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery, energy, resources, transportation, culture, education with the island country.

Li reaffirmed China's commitment to seeking stronger coordination and cooperation with Papua New Guinea on international and regional issues.

Somare will conclude his China visit on Wednesday.