Papua New Guinea Reaffirms 'One China' Principle, to Close Taiwan's Office; Legislators Criticize DPP

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced on social media that the nation reaffirms the 'One China' principle and will close Taiwan's Taipei Economic and Trade Office in the capital, Port Moresby. This move signals a significant shift in diplomatic relations and aligns PNG with Beijing's stance.

In response, Taiwanese legislators from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, Luo Chih-chiang and Niu Hsu-ting, criticized the current DPP administration. Luo Chih-chiang pointed out that while diplomatic challenges are ongoing, the Ma administration maintained 22 diplomatic allies, whereas the DPP government has seen this number halved. He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promptly assess the situation and implement countermeasures.

Niu Hsu-ting noted that PNG and Taiwan previously had relatively close ties, and this development indicates Beijing's persistent efforts to exert influence in the region. He stressed that regardless of whether one welcomes the change, the fact remains that the office will close. He called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to swiftly grasp the situation and propose responsive measures.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it does not recognize the arrangement and that existing operations will continue. However, the ultimate success of these operations depends on the ongoing efforts of diplomatic colleagues. Niu Hsu-ting emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to cross-strait relations, as similar situations may continue to arise, and it is crucial to prevent these changes from harming Taiwan's national interests.