Papua New Guinea (PNG) has renewed its efforts to close Taiwan’s representative office in its capital, Port Moresby, prompting Taiwan to withdraw its personnel, end technical assistance programs, and suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases from the country. Beijing welcomed the move and expressed willingness to increase its LNG imports from PNG.

In July, PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced that his government had reaffirmed its “One China” policy and would close Taiwan’s representative office. Taiwan protested the unilateral decision and halted spot LNG purchases from PNG within a week. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern, calling the move another example of Beijing’s global intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters.

Despite the announcement, Taiwan appointed a new representative in September, and the office continued operating as Taipei sought support from like-minded countries to preserve its diplomatic presence.

On Nov. 6, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said PNG had again demanded that the office’s personnel leave within a specified timeframe and moved forward with plans to shut it down. Taiwan announced that it would immediately withdraw its staff and terminate technical and medical missions, scholarships, and personnel-training programs.

Taiwan had planned to purchase approximately 500,000 metric tons of PNG LNG in the first half of this year. Its purchases account for roughly one-third of PNG’s total LNG exports, making the suspension potentially significant for the country’s export revenues and foreign-exchange earnings.

On Nov. 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun praised PNG’s adherence to the “One China” principle and said Beijing was willing to expand LNG imports from the country and deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

Sources:
1. Lianhe Zaobao, November 7, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20261107-9962251
2. Xinhua, November 9, 2026
https://www.xinhuanet.com/20261109/db6ee4309ac84abab9c586f4b9681808/c.html

In late October, Germany’s president and chancellor traveled to Asia at the same time but headed in different directions. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited China, beginning in Anhui province with a tour of Volkswagen’s research center in Hefei, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Singapore, Japan and South Korea to deepen economic, technological and security cooperation.

The Paper published an article arguing the two trips reflect a single strategic anxiety in Berlin: it wants to keep sharing in the benefits of cooperation with China while reducing dependence by broadening its network of partners, an approach it calls “German-style hedging.”

The article stresses that the two trips do not signal two separate China policies. The President largely performs a representative role, while the federal government sets policy. Steinmeier himself said at Peking University that Germany does not seek decoupling, while also calling for a fix to trade imbalances.

China, the piece argues, is no longer merely a buyer of German goods but also a competitor, a supply chain partner and an innovation hub. Volkswagen, for example, now develops technology in China and plans to use it in other markets. German statistics show bilateral goods trade reached 251.8 billion euros in 2025, making China Germany’s largest trading partner again.

Diplomacy, the author contends, cannot substitute for industrial competitiveness, and protectionism may weaken the urgency to improve products. Merz also acknowledged that Singapore, Japan and South Korea voiced strong concern about possible protectionism in the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act, exposing a tension in Berlin’s commitment to open trade.

Finally, the article warns that unclear policy boundaries create uncertainty for companies and erode Germany’s credibility. It concludes that hedging works only if it strengthens industrial capability, stabilizes cooperation and makes Germany’s commitment to openness believable.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of National Governance, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Source: The Paper, November 6, 2026
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_34418761

The discovery of a 32-kilogram Chinese-made unexploded military shell in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, has sparked controversy after the Chinese Embassy dismissed it as nothing more than a liquor bottle.

According to Australian media reports, Papua New Guinea police and military explosives experts secured the scene and safely removed the object. An investigation report finalized on November 3, following an examination using X-ray equipment donated by Australia, identified it as a Chinese-made Type 59 130mm artillery shell containing explosive material and a fuse. Four Chinese nationals were arrested on October 30 in connection with the incident.

On the same day the police report was finalized, the Chinese Embassy issued a statement on social media claiming that the object was merely a decorative liquor bottle shaped like an artillery shell and posed no danger. The embassy also argued that smuggling military ammunition out of China was virtually impossible because of the country’s strict weapons controls.

However, Papua New Guinea police had already rejected the claim that the object was a dummy. Senior officials confirmed that the police report identified it as live ammunition and that the findings had been forwarded to criminal investigators for further investigation.

The discovery comes as Australia seeks to negotiate a landmark defense treaty with Papua New Guinea. Beijing has publicly urged Port Moresby not to sign any agreement that would exclude cooperation with third countries.

Source: Aboluo, November 5, 2026
https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/1105/2453702.html