Taiwan’s representative office in Papua New Guinea remains operational despite a closure order from the Papua New Guinean government, according to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry. This development follows an announcement by Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko in July, declaring the government’s decision to shut down Taiwan’s diplomatic mission.
Taiwanese representative Chiu Chen-yu has continued to engage with Papua New Guinea’s Department of Foreign Affairs, maintaining regular communication without any notable disruptions. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed that it was not consulted before the closure decision was made and has lodged a formal protest against the move.
In response to the situation, Taiwan is actively preparing for various outcomes and seeks to maintain dialogue with Papua New Guinea. The ministry is also reaching out to other countries to garner support for discussions that could keep the representative office open.
The closure order represents a significant diplomatic challenge for Taiwan, which faces increasing pressure from China to isolate it internationally. Taiwan’s efforts to keep its office in Papua New Guinea open are part of a broader strategy to maintain its international presence and relationships.