for diplomatic recognition, reports The National.
PNG’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Gabriel Pepson said the government was not aware of a secret offer, adding “we are all surprised by the media reports.”
He reiterated that PNG pursues the One-China policy, which recognizes the sovereignty of China over Taiwan.
Pepson said PNG knew nothing about the secret offer, either at the official or political level.
The offer was revealed after Taiwan launched court proceedings in Singapore to recover the money given to two men who was supposed to offer it to their contacts in PNG.
The offer was abandoned after it was discovered that the PNG contacts did not represent the government. This happened in December 2006. But the two men did not return the money to Taiwan.
Commenting on the issue of “dollar diplomacy,” Pepson said Taiwan should know by now that politicians and bureaucrats cannot be bought.
He said it was unfortunate that late into Sir William Bill Skate’s term as prime minister, there were discussions to give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan.
