RESTRICTING TAIWAN: Beijing is using coercion and economic incentives to force other countries to accept its claims on Taiwan, the MOFA said
- By Fang Wei-li / Staff reporter, wither Reuters
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday it would close its representative office in Papua New Guinea and stop buying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the country, citing Chinese pressure.
Papua New Guinea’s minister of foreign affairs in July said the government had decided to close Taiwan’s representative office in the country immediately, winning praise from China, although the office had remained open in the interim.
Taiwan has decided to shut the office and withdraw all personnel on the basis of national dignity, diplomatic autonomy and the country’s overall interests, the MOFA said, adding that the government will reassess and adjust bilateral cooperation with Papua New Guinea.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ name and logo are displayed at the ministry in Taipei in an undated photograph.Photo: CNA
The nation has also stopped purchasing Papua New Guinea’s LNG, it said.
Taiwan had planned to buy about 500,000 tonnes of spot LNG from Papua New Guinea in the first half of this year, but will no longer sign new spot purchase contracts with the country, it added.
The ministry said it had completed an assessment of domestic natural gas supply and demand, adjusted its procurement plans and secured alternative sources to ensure a stable and sufficient energy supply.
The move to halt spot LNG purchases from Papua New Guinea and the adjustment of bilateral diplomatic ties would have no impact on Taiwan’s energy security, it added.
Taiwan had for years provided Papua New Guinea with substantial assistance in areas including the economy, agriculture, public health and talent development, guided by the principles of mutual benefit and development cooperation, the ministry said, adding that the efforts had contributed to the well-being of local communities and the country’s development.
However, the recent actions of the Papua New Guinea government had seriously undermined the mutual trust built through years of cooperation, the ministry said, accusing China of using political pressure and economic leverage to interfere in other countries’ diplomatic decisions and restrict Taiwan’s international space.
All countries should have the right to independently decide how they engage and cooperate with Taiwan, free from political coercion or manipulation by third parties, it added.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, it said, adding that Taiwanese have the right to determine their own future and participate in the international community on an equal footing.
China has long sought to restrict Taiwan’s international presence through political coercion, economic incentives and diplomatic pressure to force other countries to accept its unilateral political claims, it said.
The Papua New Guinean government’s latest decision highlighted China’s use of political and economic leverage to interfere in other countries’ independent diplomatic decisions, undermining international trust and the principles of fairness, the ministry said.
It called on the international community to recognize China’s continued efforts to expand its political influence and obstruct Taiwan’s international participation, and to work together to defend the rules-based international order, shared democratic values and every country’s right to independently determine its foreign policy.