PORT MORESBY - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Thursday to pay a state visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

It marks the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the Pacific island nation since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.

During his stay in the PNG capital of Port Moresby, Xi will also meet with leaders of the eight Pacific island countries which have diplomatic ties with China.

PNG is the first stop of Xi's ongoing Asia-Pacific tour, which will also take him to Brunei and the Philippines.