China, Papua New Guinea Move to Expand Cooperation as Beijing Welcomes Closure of Taipei Office
Dragon Media News Desk
China has reaffirmed the importance it attaches to relations with Papua New Guinea, saying it hopes the Pacific island country will play a greater role in international affairs.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko in Manila on July 22.
The talks, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings, covered the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, trade and investment, infrastructure, healthcare and cooperation in multilateral forums.
Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Papua New Guinea, Wang said the two sides should implement the important consensus reached by their leaders.
He said China was ready to deepen practical cooperation across various sectors and further enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Wang welcomed Papua New Guinea’s decision to close the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby, describing it as another important step by the government to implement the one-China principle.
He said the decision would further consolidate political trust between China and Papua New Guinea and provide an example for other countries in handling institutions related to Taiwan.
Wang also said China’s relations with Pacific island countries were not driven by geopolitical competition or an attempt to establish a sphere of influence.
Pacific island countries have the right to independently choose their development partners and should not face interference from third parties, he said.
Tkatchenko said Papua New Guinea firmly adheres to the one-China principle and considers Taiwan an inseparable part of China.
He said the closure of the Taipei Economic Office was a unanimous decision by Papua New Guinea’s top political leadership and sent a clear message of the country’s commitment to strengthening relations with China.
Papua New Guinea would ensure the full implementation of the decision, he added.
Tkatchenko said his country was willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade and investment, infrastructure development, medical services and healthcare.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and other multilateral platforms.
Papua New Guinea announced its decision to close the Taipei Economic Office on July 15. China described the move as consistent with the one-China principle.
The United States expressed concern over the decision, while Taiwan opposed it. Papua New Guinea, however, presented the move as a sovereign decision made in accordance with its foreign policy and diplomatic commitments.
The Manila talks showed that relations between China and Papua New Guinea are expanding beyond political trust towards deeper cooperation in trade, infrastructure, healthcare and multilateral affairs.
Photo caption: Chinese and Papua New Guinean delegations hold talks in Manila on July 22. Photo: Xinhua
