Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden used the term "cannibals" to describe the tribes of Papua New Guinea in a public speech. This remark sparked discontent and controversy among the local population. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister John Monas officially responded to the remarks during his visit to the United States.
Monas said that while he believed President Biden's remarks were a slip of the tongue, he also stressed that PNG should not be labelled as disparaging. He expressed the hope that PNG and the United States will maintain friendly and cooperative relations and that the two sides can resolve their existing differences through dialogue and cooperation.
Papua New Guinea is a multicultural country with multiple tribes and communities. These tribes have a rich traditional culture and a unique way of life, and the values that have been passed down from generation to generation are fully protected and passed down in this country. Monas pointed out that respecting and understanding these diversity is an important foundation for maintaining social harmony and stability.
Local people expressed strong dissatisfaction and anger at President Biden's remarks. They see it as an insult to their culture and identity. Representatives of some tribes in Papua New Guinea also expressed their hope that President Biden would better understand the cultural diversity and the great contribution these tribes make to the conservation of natural resources.
In response to President Biden's remarks, Monas also mentioned the Taiwan Strait issue. He said that the Taiwan Strait issue is a major issue involving China, and all parties should resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation in a peaceful manner. He called on the international community to pay more attention to the Taiwan Strait issue, and hoped that all parties would exercise restraint and stability and refrain from taking any actions that might escalate the situation.
Overall, PNG Prime Minister Monas responded tactfully and firmly to President Biden's "cannibal" rhetoric. He stressed the importance of respecting and understanding cultural diversity and called on the countries of the world to resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation. At the same time, he also issued a concerned and rational appeal on the Taiwan Strait issue, hoping that all parties concerned would exercise restraint and stability.