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Taiwan to close representative office in Papua New Guinea, blames China
Taiwan says it will close its representative office in Papua New Guinea and end further spot purchases of the country’s liquefied natural gas, citing what it describes as Chinese pressure on Port Moresby. The dispute highlights competition between China and Taiwan for diplomatic influence in the Pacific, where Taiwan has few formal partners.
Papua New Guinea, which has diplomatic relations with China, had asked Taiwan’s staff to leave its office in the capital by a deadline and sought its closure; Taiwan had rejected an earlier closure decision and the office stayed open temporarily. Taiwan says its LNG purchases made up one-third of Papua New Guinea’s exports, while last year it sourced about 8 per cent of its natural gas from there. Taipei will also end technical assistance, medical missions and scholarship and talent programmes; only 12 countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
In short
- Taiwan will close its office in Port Moresby.
- Taipei says Chinese pressure drove the decision.
- Taiwan will end new LNG purchases and assistance programmes.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Taiwan can argue that closing its office and ending purchases and programmes is a measured response to Papua New Guinea’s demand that its staff leave, especially if Chinese pressure has constrained Port Moresby’s choices. Continuing these activities without an accepted diplomatic presence could be untenable, while ending them signals that Taiwan’s economic and technical engagement cannot be taken for granted.
The case against
Papua New Guinea can argue that, as a state with diplomatic relations with China, it has the right to decide which foreign offices operate on its territory and to manage its relations accordingly. Taiwan’s decision to end energy purchases and assistance may impose costs on Papua New Guinea and its people, including those who benefit from medical, technical and educational programmes, without changing the country’s diplomatic position.