Taiwan reviews Papua New Guinea LNG imports after economic office’s forced closure

Lead

Taiwan has suspended some liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases from Papua New Guinea and is reviewing long-term energy imports after the Pacific nation announced it would shut down Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby, a move that has drawn praise from China and sparked a diplomatic dispute.

The decision, announced by Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, came as part of the country's commitment to its One China policy. Taiwan has responded by vowing to keep its office open, seeking talks with the Papua New Guinea government, and reviewing bilateral economic ties.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by ABC Australia and the South China Morning Post, with both outlets focusing on Taiwan's response to Papua New Guinea's decision. ABC Australia's reporting highlights Taiwan's suspension of LNG purchases and its threat to review development programs, while also detailing the diplomatic context, including China's praise for the closure. The South China Morning Post similarly reports on Taiwan's review of LNG imports and its intention to keep the office open during negotiations.

ABC Australia's coverage also includes an earlier, related incident involving Chinese diplomats at an Australian political conference, which may be part of the broader diplomatic tensions between China and Taiwan in the region.

Key Claims

• Papua New Guinea announced it would shut down Taiwan's representative office in Port Moresby, with Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko stating that Taiwan's presence was "no longer recognised or required" and that the move was a "vital" step towards deepening trust with Beijing. This was reported by both ABC Australia and the South China Morning Post.

• China has publicly praised the decision. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared it could set a model for other nations, and a Chinese embassy official in Port Moresby called it "a right decision." The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian also welcomed the closure, saying Beijing "highly commends" it. These statements were carried by ABC Australia and the South China Morning Post.

• Taiwan has suspended some LNG spot purchases from Papua New Guinea, amounting to about 500,000 tonnes every six months, according to a senior official from Taiwan's foreign ministry. The long-term contract to import 1.2 million tonnes of LNG annually until 2030 was not touched. This was reported by ABC Australia.

• Taiwan's foreign ministry said it opposed the "unilateral decision" and intended to continue its presence in Papua New Guinea. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the government had launched a review of bilateral economic ties, including long-term LNG imports. This was reported by both outlets.

• Taiwan has indicated it is seeking talks with the Papua New Guinea government and support from "like-minded" countries. This was reported by ABC Australia.

• Taiwan threatened to review or cut its development programs in Papua New Guinea, as reported by ABC Australia. The South China Morning Post did not include this specific threat in its coverage.

• In 2023, the Papua New Guinea government decided to close its trade office in Taiwan and replace it with a downgraded presence called the PNG Taipei Economic Office. This was mentioned in ABC Australia's reporting.

Perspectives

Papua New Guinea Government

Port Moresby frames the closure as a sovereign decision aligned with its One China policy, describing it as a step to deepen trust with Beijing and consolidate bilateral ties.

Taiwan

Taipei rejects the closure as unilateral, insists its office will remain operational, and is reviewing economic ties, including LNG imports, while seeking dialogue.

China

Beijing welcomes the closure as an affirmation of the One China principle and pledges continued support for Papua New Guinea on core interests.