DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Technology

US says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by Papua New Guinea closure of Taiwan office

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The United States expressed deep concern over reports that Papua New Guinea ordered the closure of Taiwan's representative office.
  • The State Department views this action as part of Beijing's intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its partners.
  • Papua New Guinea's decision, which aligns with its formal ties to China, has drawn praise from Beijing and condemnation from Taipei.

The United States has voiced "deep concern" regarding reports that Papua New Guinea has ordered the closure of Taiwan's representative office in the country. A State Department spokesperson stated on July 17 that this move is perceived as another instance of Beijing's "intimidation campaign" targeting Taiwan and its international supporters.

We are deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Papua New Guinea has unilaterally ordered the closure of the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby.

— State Department spokespersonExpressing US concern over Papua New Guinea's decision.

The Pacific region has long been a focal point for diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its own territory. Papua New Guinea, like most nations, maintains formal diplomatic relations with China and not Taiwan. Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister, Justin Tkatchenko, confirmed the closure order on July 16, a decision that received commendation from Beijing but strong criticism from Taipei.

This is yet another example of Beijing’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world, which undermines the sovereign decisions of countries choosing to partner with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity.

— State Department spokespersonCharacterizing the closure as part of China's broader strategy.

"We are deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Papua New Guinea has unilaterally ordered the closure of the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby," the State Department spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson emphasized that Taiwan is a "reliable, democratic partner" whose global relationships offer "significant benefits" to citizens, including those in Papua New Guinea. The action was described as undermining "the sovereign decisions of countries choosing to partner with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity."

We highly commend Papua New Guinea’s decision.

— Chinese foreign ministry spokespersonChina's official reaction to Papua New Guinea's decision.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson echoed Beijing's stance, reiterating that the government "highly commends" Papua New Guinea's decision. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Vice-President, Hsiao Bi-khim, speaking in Taipei, described Taiwan's diplomatic situation as extremely difficult due to China's persistent suppression. Currently, only 12 countries maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, with three of those located in the Pacific: Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade acknowledged awareness of the announcement and stated it would seek further information.

Taiwan faces an extremely difficult diplomatic situation because China is suppressing the island everywhere.

— Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khimDescribing Taiwan's diplomatic challenges amid Chinese pressure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog