Papua New Guinea orders closure of Taiwan's representative office

Papua New Guinea's government has officially announced the immediate closure of Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby, a move that underscores the nation's commitment to its "One-China Policy."

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The Marape-Rosso Government has officially announced the immediate cessation of operations and the formal closure of the physical presence of the Chinese Taipei Economic Office (Taiwan) in the country.

The Marape-Rosso government stated that a cabinet decision mandates the cessation of operations for the "Chinese Taipei Economic Office (Taiwan)" within the country's jurisdiction. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko emphasized that this administrative action is vital for deepening trust, reinforcing shared values, and elevating the bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and the People's Republic of China to "unprecedented levels."

Beijing has welcomed the decision, with China's foreign ministry expressing appreciation and its embassy in Port Moresby calling it the "right decision" that will "further consolidate the political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations."

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The National Government views this administrative alignment as a vital and necessary step toward deepening state-to-state trust, reinforcing our shared values, and elevating the bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and the People's Republic of China to unprecedented levels.

However, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed surprise, stating the move was not discussed in advance. The ministry affirmed that its representative office in Papua New Guinea would continue to operate normally, safeguarding national rights and interests and providing services to Taiwanese citizens. Taiwan also indicated it would contact "like-minded countries" to seek international attention and support.

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Our representative office in Papua New Guinea will ⁠continue to operate normally and, in accordance with relevant regulations, safeguard our nation's rights and interests and provide necessary services to our nationals.

Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic ties with only a handful of nations globally, including Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, alongside nine other countries. It had operated a de facto embassy in Papua New Guinea and maintains a similar office in Fiji.

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The right decision would further consolidate political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations.