US voices concern after Papua New Guinea orders closure of Taiwan office

The US has expressed deep concern over reports that Papua New Guinea has directed the closure of Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby, saying the move forms part of Beijing's broader campaign to intimidate Taiwan and its international partners. The statement came on Friday after Papua New Guinea announced the decision, prompting contrasting reactions from China and Taiwan.

A State Department spokesperson said Washington was "deeply concerned" by reports that the Papua New Guinea government had "unilaterally ordered the closure of the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby".

The spokesperson added that Taiwan remains a dependable democratic partner whose international relationships provide "significant benefits" to the people of countries that engage with it, including Papua New Guinea.

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"This is yet another example of Beijing's intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world, which undermines the sovereign decisions of countries choosing to partner with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity."

Papua New Guinea announces closure

Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said on Thursday that Taiwan's office would be closed. The decision was welcomed by Beijing but criticised by Taipei. Like most countries, Papua New Guinea maintains formal diplomatic relations with China rather than Taiwan.

Earlier on Friday, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry repeated that the Chinese government "highly commends" Papua New Guinea's decision.

Speaking in Taipei on the same day, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taiwan was facing an extremely difficult diplomatic environment because China was suppressing the island "everywhere".

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and rejects any suggestion that the island has the attributes of a sovereign state. Taiwan, which is democratically governed, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Pacific remains a diplomatic battleground

The Pacific has long been a region of diplomatic rivalry between China and Taiwan.

Only 12 countries continue to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, with three of them located in the Pacific: Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of Papua New Guinea's announcement regarding the closure of Taiwan's office.

"We will seek further information about this decision in due course," it added, without elaborating.