TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday rejected Papua New Guinea's announcement that it had ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan's representative office.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced the closure on Facebook on Wednesday, saying the government was shutting the office under a Cabinet decision reaffirming the country's One China policy, per SET News. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said the move was made without prior consultation with Taipei, prompting Taiwan to lodge a strong protest and continue engaging with Papua New Guinea through diplomatic channels.
Hsiao said Taiwan does not accept Papua New Guinea's unilateral decision. He said the representative office would remain open, safeguard Taiwan's rights and interests, and provide necessary services to Taiwanese.
Hsiao said the ministry has contacted like-minded countries to seek international attention and support, SET News reported. It also convened an emergency response meeting with relevant agencies to review bilateral cooperation and trade ties with Papua New Guinea and consider measures to protect Taiwan's interests.
The two countries established reciprocal representative offices in 1990, with Taiwan initially operating the Trade Mission of the Republic of China in Papua New Guinea, per Tai Sounds. Port Moresby renamed the office the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Papua New Guinea in 2018 amid pressure from Beijing, and closed its own trade mission in Taiwan in 2023.
