Port moresby: Papua New Guinea's decision to close Taiwan's trade office in Port Moresby is puzzling from a diplomatic standpoint, but it signals a coming expansion of its economic relationship with China, experts told Radio Free Asia.According to Radio Free Asia, last month, PNG's Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced in an official statement the immediate cessation of operations and the formal closure of the physical presence of the Chinese Taipei Economics Office. The closure is in line with Port Moresby's commitment to honoring the One-China Policy, which aligns with Beijing's view that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory.The decision was confusing, said Paul Barker, executive director of the PNG Institute of National Affairs, a Port Moresby-based think tank. "One really wonders why one would take this action at this point," he noted. PNG has maintained a policy of being "friends to all and enemies to none" while choosing its own path alongside Pacific partners and ASEAN coll eagues. Barker highlighted PNG's mutual defense treaty with Australia, along with defense arrangements with countries like China, Indonesia, and the U.S.PNG recognized the One China Policy soon after independence but has also kept up trade, investment, and cultural engagements with Taiwan, which Barker argues is reasonable given China's own economic connections with Taiwan. Tkatchenko's statement indicates that this will no longer be the case in Papua New Guinea.Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protested the closure, vowing to continue operations as normal. However, it was unclear to RFA what it meant to operate the office when it is not recognized by the host government.In response, Taiwan reviewed liquefied natural gas imports from PNG and halted spot purchases, prompting Beijing to increase its purchases from PNG. Jonah Bock, assistant director for research at the Alliance Futures Initiative, told RFA that Taiwan's actions are a signal to other countries with ties to Taiwan that downgrad ing its status will not go unpunished.Bock described the closure of Taiwan's office in PNG as part of a larger campaign to further isolate Taiwan. Only three Pacific Island countries-Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu-still recognize Taiwan, and China aims to eliminate Taiwan's remaining international space. Similar measures have occurred in other Pacific areas, with closures and revocations of diplomatic privileges.Beyond geopolitics, Barker explained that the closure would affect more than just gas exports and trade. Educational and cultural links, such as scholarships and exchanges, are also significant. He emphasized that cultural associations between Taiwan, PNG, and the Pacific are deep-rooted, with origins tracing back 6,000 years.Despite these cultural connections, Bock suggested that PNG's move is financially motivated by the prospect of vast sums of Chinese money. He pointed out that Prime Minister James Marape's visit to China and subsequent economic agreements and discussions indicate g roundwork for a larger economic relationship with China. Closing the office seems to be PNG's way of ensuring that China follows through on these economic promises.
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