Papua New Guinea to close Taiwan trade office, seeking to reassure China after Australia treaty
Papua New Guinea has announced it will close Taiwan's trade mission in the country, freezing out its fifth-largest trading partner in a strategic move aimed at reaffirming ties with China. The decision follows a treaty recently signed with Australia.
Papua New Guinea's government announced it will close Taiwan's trade mission in the country. The move freezes out Taiwan, currently its fifth-largest trading partner, in what is seen as a strategic step to reaffirm ties with Beijing.
The decision follows a security treaty Papua New Guinea recently signed with Australia. Analysts say Port Moresby's move is intended to send a reassuring signal to China amid shifting regional alignments.
Taiwan's government has not yet issued a formal response to the decision. Regional experts note that diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan across the Pacific islands has intensified in recent years.
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