Taipei: Taiwan's top diplomat has accused China of employing "elite capture" strategies within South Pacific nations to further its interests, highlighting Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the latest example following its decision to shut down Taipei's representative office. According to Focus Taiwan, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung made this assertion during a legislative hearing when asked about the current status of Taiwan's representative office in PNG. The issue surfaced after PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced on July 16 that the government had ordered the immediate closure of the office, citing PNG's commitment to the "one-China" policy. Lin suggested that Tkatchenko's announcement reflected his personal stance rather than an official decision by the PNG Cabinet. He alleged, without providing evidence, that the announcement came after China had offered direct benefits to Tkatchenko. Lin described this as another instance of China's "elite capture" strategy, which allegedly involves influencing a select group of leaders in the South Pacific through incentives or debt, thereby bringing these nations under Beijing's influence. According to Lin, there are differing opinions among other officials and diplomats in the Oceanic country regarding its relations with Taiwan. PNG's Cabinet is still conducting a two-year review of the relationship, with no consensus reached so far. Despite the controversy, Taiwan's representative office in PNG continues to operate. Amid the ongoing dispute, Lin mentioned that Taiwan is reassessing its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from PNG. He noted that Taiwan imports approximately 1.2 million metric tons of LNG from PNG annually, accounting for about one-third of PNG's LNG exports. The controversy arises as China has been exerting increasing influence in the region. Lin stated that China's submarine-launched ballistic missiles can strike targets across the Western and South Pacific, while its aircraft carriers and warships frequently operate in those waters. Furtherm ore, China is using investments to gain control over critical infrastructure, including ports and supplies of critical minerals, posing a threat to the rules-based international order. Taiwan has long faced pressure from China, but in recent years the international community, including the United States and Australia, has begun to recognize that Beijing's expansionist actions are not solely directed at Taiwan, Lin noted.
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