China welcomes Papua New Guinea's decision to close Taipei office

China highly appreciates the Papua New Guinea government's decision to close the "Taipei Economic Office" in the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin made the remarks at a regular news conference when asked about New Zealand's expression of concern over the decision. The government of Papua New Guinea announced on Wednesday the closure of the "Taipei Economic Office in Papua New Guinea".

"We have already made clear our position on the matter," Lin said.

The decision once again demonstrates that adherence to the one-China principle represents the common aspiration of the international community and the prevailing trend of the times, he added.