Taiwan to close representative office in Papua New Guinea, blames China

Taiwan says it will close its representative office in Port Moresby and end purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Papua New Guinea, accusing China of applying political pressure. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Port Moresby had renewed its demand that the office’s staff leave and pushed for its closure, first announced in July but not implemented until now. Taiwan will also stop signing new spot LNG purchase contracts and end technical cooperation and assistance programmes. Taiwanese LNG purchases accounted for one-third of Papua New Guinea’s exports.