PNG announces closure of Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea says it will close Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby.

"The Marape-Rosso Government has officially announced the immediate cessation of operations and the formal closure of the physical presence of the Chinese Taipei Economic Office (Taiwan) in the country," the government said in a statement.

It said this follows a National Executive Council (cabinet) decision.

"In strict accordance with this executive directive, the physical presence of Chinese Taipei will no longer be recognised or required within the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea."

Foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said this administrative action underscores the government's commitment to honouring and upholding PNG's foundational One-China Policy.

"The National Government views this administrative alignment as a vital and necessary step toward deepening state-to-state trust, reinforcing our shared values, and elevating the bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and the People's Republic of China to unprecedented levels," Tkatchenko said.

Reuters reported Taiwan's foreign ministry saying the move had not been discussed ​in advance and that it would talk to PNG.

"Our representative office in Papua New ‌Guinea will ⁠continue to operate normally and, in accordance with relevant regulations, safeguard our nation's rights and interests and provide necessary services to our nationals," it said.

The ministry added that it had contacted "like-minded countries to seek the international community's attention and support".

China's foreign ministry said its government highly ​appreciates Papua New Guinea's move.

China's embassy in Papua New Guinea said the "right ​decision" to close Taiwan's ⁠office would "further consolidate political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations".

Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, and nine other nations - Eswatini, Vatican City, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines.

It had maintained a de facto embassy in Papua New Guinea, and also has a similar office in Fiji, Reuters reported.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, but Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claim, saying only the island's people can decide their future.