SYDNEY, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) have received 50 coaches, 35 mini buses and nine fire engines on Wednesday, courtesy of the People's Republic of China.

While the vehicles were donated to assist the South Pacific nation during November's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, Chinese ambassador to PNG, Xue Bing, said at the handover ceremony in Port Moresby, "China's aid purpose is to improve PNG's economic and social development, after APEC the vehicles will continue to benefit the people."

With both nations working hard to make sure the meeting runs smoothly, the ongoing engagement between the two countries has created a strong sense of closeness, according to Xue.

"China and PNG enjoy a very good relationship in terms of political trust, close economic cooperation and people to people links," he said.

"Our assistance is to benefit the general population and to strengthen the friendship between China and PNG."

As well as the vehicles, China has also provided a wide range of other support to PNG ahead of the APEC leaders' meeting.