Papua New Guinea closes “Taipei Economic Office”, reaffirms one-China policy

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, recently posted a statement on social media reaffirming his government’s steadfast adherence to the one-China policy and announcing the closure of the “Taipei Economic Office”, calling the decision a significant step toward strengthening bilateral trust with the People’s Republic of China.

The statement said that Papua New Guinea deeply values its long-standing, strong partnership with China. The National Government looks forward to exploring new avenues of strategic cooperation, expanded trade, and mutual socio-economic development that will bring lasting, tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations, it said.

Multiple mainstream media outlets in Papua New Guinea have republished the government’s announcement.

Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1976 and has long adhered to the one-China policy. In recent years, political mutual trust between China and Papua New Guinea has continued to deepen, and economic and trade cooperation has steadily grown. China has remained one of Papua New Guinea’s most important trading partners for many consecutive years.

Iraq on Friday denied a foreign media report claiming its prime minister Ali al-Zaidi had delivered a U.S. ceasefire proposal to Tehran, dismissing the report as “entirely unfounded.”

The report “bears no relation to reality,” according to a statement by al-Zaidi’s media office.

The New York Times, citing unnamed Iranian and Iraqi officials, reported on Thursday that Iran had rejected a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump delivered to Tehran by al-Zaidi.

During an official visit to Iran on Thursday, al-Zaidi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and said Iraq and Iran share intertwined security interests, reaffirming that Baghdad would not allow its soil to be used for threats against Tehran.

The denial came amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, as the United States and Iran exchanged strikes in recent days. The United States has carried out attacks on Iranian targets, while Iran has responded by targeting U.S. bases and facilities across the region.