TAIPEI, (TAIWAN NEWS) – The U.S State Department expressed concern on Saturday over Papua New Guinea’s decision to force the closure of Taiwan’s representative office in Port Moresby, calling the move another example of Beijing’s intimidation of Taiwan and its international partners, per UDN.
A State Department spokesperson told CNA that Washington was deeply concerned by reports that Papua New Guinea had unilaterally ordered the closure of the Taipei Economic Office and the departure of its personnel.
The spokesperson described Taiwan as a reliable, like-minded democratic partner whose international relationships bring significant benefits to people in partner countries, including Papua New Guinea. The move undermines countries’ sovereign decisions to establish partnerships with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity, the spokesperson said.
Papua New Guinea cited its “one China” policy in announcing the closure in July. The country maintains formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday that it would close the office, withdraw all personnel, and terminate technical cooperation and aid programmes with Papua New Guinea following renewed demands for Taiwanese staff to leave by a specified deadline.
Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng said China’s efforts to restrict Taiwan’s diplomatic space were continuing, but Taiwan would not back down.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Chiu called the closure another example of Beijing suppressing Taiwan’s international participation. He said the government had anticipated that China would use countries in the Global South that support Beijing to pressure them into removing Taiwan’s representative offices, per UDN.
Chiu said Taiwan remained willing to contribute to the international community and would continue defending its right to participate in international affairs…. PACNEWS