China using ‘elite capture’ in PNG: foreign minister - EUROPE SAYS
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) today accused China of using “elite capture” in South Pacific nations to advance its interests in the region, citing Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the latest. . .
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) today accused China of using “elite capture” in South Pacific nations to advance its interests in the region, citing Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the latest example after the nation decided to close Taipei’s representative office. Lin made the accusation at a legislative hearing when asked about the latest on the status of Taiwan’s representative office in PNG. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei TimesThe issue emerged after PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko on Thursday last week announced that the government had ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan’s representative office there, citing PNG’s adherence to the “one China” policy. Tkatchenko’s announcement reflected his own position rather than a decision by the PNG Cabinet, Lin said. He also alleged that it came after China had provided direct benefits to Tkatchenko, although he did not elaborate or provide evidence. The minister described it as another example of China’s “elite capture” strategy, which involves exerting influence over “a handful of leaders” in the South Pacific through incentives or by saddling their countries with debt, thereby bringing them under Beijing’s sway. There are differing views among other officials and diplomats of the Oceanic country regarding its relations with Taiwan, and PNG’s Cabinet is still conducting a two-year review of the relationship, with no consensus having been reached, Lin said. However, Taiwan’s representative office in PNG continues to operate, he added. Amid the dispute, Taiwan is assessing its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from PNG, Lin said. Taiwan imports about 1. 2 million tonnes of LNG from PNG annually, accounting for about one-third of PNG’s LNG exports, he said. The controversy comes as China has wielded increasing influence in the region, Lin said. China’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles are capable of striking targets across the Western and South Pacific, while its aircraft carriers and warships frequently operate in those waters, he said. China is also using investments to gain control over critical infrastructure, including ports and supplies of critical minerals, posing a threat to the rules-based international order, Lin added. Taiwan has faced such pressure from China by itself for decades, but in recent years the international community has come to recognize that Beijing’s expansionist behavior is not directed solely at Taiwan, Lin said. Tags:ChinaChina Taiwan ConflictsConflictsdiplomatic allieselite captureLin Chia-tungTaiwanTaiwan-PNGThe Taipei Times台北時報