Taiwan is closing its representative office in Papua New Guinea, a move it says is about protecting its dignity after PNG, under pressure from China, pushed Taiwan's staff to leave.

• Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed staff are being reassigned, with a skeleton crew staying briefly to finish the pullout.
• Consular and overseas-community services for the nearly 100 Taiwanese nationals in PNG will be handled by nearby Taiwanese offices instead.
• Office property, vehicles, and equipment will be auctioned off or transferred, and the lease on the building will be terminated.
• Taiwan had already halted spot-market purchases of PNG's liquid natural gas in response to PNG's earlier push to shut the office, and is now also ending all technical aid and cooperation programs with PNG.
• Taiwan's government says PNG acted at China's direction, calling the episode a blow to its diplomatic standing that has drawn international attention.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to shift its remaining diplomatic and economic ties in the Pacific toward countries not aligned with Beijing, while the PNG episode adds to the broader contest between Taiwan and China over diplomatic recognition.