Taiwan Stops Buying Spot Market LNG From Papua New Guinea As Ties Struggle
Taiwan says it has stopped buying liquefied natural gas from Papua New Guinea on the spot market after Port Moresby ordered Taipei to close its representative office there.
Taiwan Halts LNG Spot Purchases from Papua New Guinea
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s foreign ministry says it’s going to stop buying some liquefied natural gas from Papua New Guinea.
Michael Chau-horng Lin (DEPT. OF EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, FOREIGN MINISTRY):
We've already taken stock of our health and agricultural aid projects [in Papua New Guinea]. We've also reviewed our purchases of LNG from there and have ceased buying from them on the spot market.
The move comes after Papua New Guinea ordered Taiwan to close its representative office in the country. Taipei is one of Papua New Guinea's top importers of liquefied natural gas. The foreign ministry says Taiwan bought roughly half a million tons on the spot market in the first half of the year.
Taipei's office in Papua New Guinea continues to operate despite the government’s demand. The foreign ministry says that it will keep communicating with officials there, and will reevaluate ties as the situation develops.
