TAIPEI, July 18 (Reuters) - The United States is "deeply concerned" by reports that Papua New Guinea has ordered the closure of Taiwan's representative office in the ‌country, the State Department said on Friday, adding it was part of Beijing's ‌intimidation campaign.
The Pacific has long been an area for diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory with no right to the trappings of a state. The democratically ruled island rejects China's sovereignty claims.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said on Thursday that Taiwan's office would be closed, drawing praise from Beijing and condemnation from Taipei. Papua ‌New Guinea, like most countries, only ⁠has formal ties with China, not Taiwan.
"We are deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Papua New Guinea has unilaterally ordered the ⁠closure of the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
Taiwan is a reliable, democratic partner, and its relationships around the world provide "significant benefits" to the citizens of those countries, including Papua New Guinea, the spokesperson added.