Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has called on the Papua New Guinea government to recognize years-long exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, and to allow Taiwan’s representative office in the country to continue operating. That came during an interview at the Legislature on Wednesday, July 22.

Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko issued a statement on July 15 saying that Taiwan’s representative office in the country, the Taipei Economic Office, would cease operations immediately.

Lin said that Taiwan continues to negotiate with the Papua New Guinea government, and that allies including the United States have also spoken up on Taiwan’s behalf. He said that in addition to negotiations, Taiwan will also review its economic and cooperative relationship with Papua New Guinea, particularly natural gas purchases.