Taiwan to Shut Down Representative Office in Papua New Guinea, Accuses China of Political Pressure

Taiwan has announced plans to close its representative office in Papua New Guinea and suspend further purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Pacific nation, accusing China of using political and economic influence to undermine its international relations.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this on Friday, November 6, 2026, saying Papua New Guinea had renewed its demand for Taiwanese diplomatic representatives to leave the office in Port Moresby within a specified deadline.

According to the ministry, the decision followed continued pressure from Papua New Guinea to shut down the representative office, which Taiwan said reflected China's growing influence over the country's diplomatic decisions.

Taiwan accused Beijing of using economic influence and political pressure to restrict its international presence and prevent other countries from maintaining unofficial diplomatic relations with Taipei.

China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, had welcomed Papua New Guinea's decision in July to close the Taiwanese representative office. However, Taiwan rejected the move, allowing the office to remain operational temporarily.

The Pacific region has become an important area of diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, with both sides seeking to strengthen their influence among island nations.

Papua New Guinea maintains formal diplomatic relations with China, while Taiwan has official diplomatic ties with only three Pacific island countries: Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.

Taiwan also announced that it would stop signing new spot-purchase agreements for LNG from Papua New Guinea, extending an earlier decision to suspend spot purchases.

The development could have significant economic consequences for Papua New Guinea, as Taiwanese LNG purchases reportedly account for approximately one-third of the country's exports.

Taiwan imported about eight per cent of its natural gas from Papua New Guinea last year.

In addition, Taipei announced plans to terminate technical cooperation and assistance programmes with the country, including medical missions, scholarship opportunities and talent-development initiatives.

The decision marks a further deterioration in relations between Taiwan and Papua New Guinea amid growing geopolitical competition between Beijing and Taipei in the Pacific region.