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