Papua New Guinea (PNG) Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed on July 16 that the government will close Taiwan’s representative office in Port Moresby, a move welcomed by Beijing and strongly protested by Taipei.
PNG maintained formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) for only 17 days in 1999 before reestablishing diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Although the two sides have not maintained official diplomatic relations since then, they continued to operate representative offices that functioned as de facto embassies. PNG closed its trade office in Taipei in 2023, citing economic reasons, while Taiwan’s representative office in Port Moresby remained open until the latest decision.
The U.S. State Department said it was “deeply concerned” by the move, describing it as “yet another example of Beijing’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world.”
Strategically located along key sea lanes and near international submarine cable routes connecting the United States and Australia, Papua New Guinea has become an important arena for geopolitical competition. Over the past decade, the PRC has invested billions of dollars in Pacific island nations, expanding its diplomatic and economic influence across the region.
Source: Deutsche Well, July 18, 2026
https://www.dw.com/zh/巴新关闭台北办事处-美国北京恫吓的又一例证/a-78018695