MELBOURNE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape has said the decision to close the "Taipei economic office" in the country was carefully considered, independently made and consistent with the country's longstanding commitment to the one-China policy and its national interests, local newspaper the Post-Courier reported Thursday.
The PNG government announced its decision to close the office on July 15.
"Papua New Guinea is an independent and sovereign nation. We make our foreign policy decisions based on our own national interests," Marape was quoted as saying.
Marape said PNG has remained committed to the one-China policy since establishing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1976.
China is the world's second-largest economy and one of PNG's most important trading partners, Marape said.
He said PNG would uphold the one-China policy, deepen relations with China and expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, minerals and energy. ■