A Papua New Guinea diplomat has been sacked after he assaulted his wife in a restaurant in Taiwan.
The PNG Foreign Minister, Justin Tkatchenko, called the diplomat's action disgraceful and deplorable.
NBC reports him saying the diplomat has been recalled and will be removed permanently from the diplomatic corp.
Photo: 123RF
Tkatchenko said the government will not tolerate such behaviour, especially when PNG is working to combat gender-based violence.
The 44-year-old man was with PNG's Taiwan Trade mission.
Taiwan media reported the incident, saying the man had assaulted his wife and a restaurant worker in a Taipei City restaurant.
It was reported that the man's wife suffered a severe trauma to the back of her head.
Tkatchenko said the man's recall and removal from the diplomatic service should serve as a lesson for other PNG diplomats overseas.
"When it comes to the selection of High Commissioners, Consular Generals, Ambassadors overseas to represent Papua New Guinea, they must be of the highest standing with an impeccable record.
"We don't want people there just for a joyride. They have to work, promote the country and put our name in shining light and promote Papua New Guinea. It's all about promoting our good name," he said.
Tkatchenko said they have since apologised to authorities in Taiwan over this incident.