Taiwan faces 'extremely difficult' diplomatic situation as PNG closes office

Taiwan faces an "extremely difficult" diplomatic situation as China suppresses its international space, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said after Papua New Guinea announced it would close Taiwan's representative office. Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko stated on Thursday that Taiwan's office would be closed immediately, a move praised by Beijing. However, Taiwan's foreign ministry asserted that the decision was not discussed in advance and that its office would continue to operate normally.

The Pacific region is a long-standing area of diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. Papua New Guinea, like most nations, maintains formal ties with China and not Taiwan. Tkatchenko informed the Chinese ambassador of the decision, viewing it as an "administrative alignment" to enhance bilateral relations.

Taiwan's ministry indicated it had contacted "like-minded countries" for support. The island maintains formal diplomatic ties with only 12 countries, three of which are in the Pacific: Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated it was aware of the decision and would seek further information.