has prompted the People's Republic of China to significantly strengthen its relations with PNG. In 1999, the government of Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Bill Skate briefly recognised Taiwan. Skate lost power less than a week later, and Papua New Guinea's diplomatic recognition reverted to China. In 2003, the PRC's embassy in Port Moresby published a statement of concern in reaction to comments in the Papua New Guinean press questioning the justification for PNG's relations with the People's Republic. The embassy statement insisted that relations between the two countries were mutually beneficial, reasserted the PRC's claims to Taiwan, and concluded: "It is our sincere hope that the local [PNG] media will report on China and its relations with PNG in a just and objective way, so as to further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of our two countries." In July 2003, PNG Governor General Sir Silas Atopare visited the PRC, re-affirmed his country's adherence to the "One China" policy, and, according to a statement published by the PRC's embassy, "thank[ed] the government and the people of China for their commitment in providing aid to PNG's development". In May 2008, Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang resigned, along with two other top officials, after wasting over €19 million in a failed attempt to win diplomatic recognition for the Republic of China from Papua New Guinea. The misuse of the money caused public outrage, forcing Huang's resignation. Papua New Guinea's foreign minister Sam Abal subsequently confirmed that his country had no intention of recognising Taiwan. A few days later, it was announced that members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force would receive training provided by the PRC. Traditionally, military training aid in Papua New Guinea had been provided by Western countries, namely, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Chinese companies were involved in the redevelopment of the port and airport of Lae. Human rights In June 2020, Papua New Guinea was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations. See also References External links Official website of the embassy of the People's Republic of China in Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Bilateral relations of Papua New Guinea