Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen highlighted a shared goal with Australia: safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
“Safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific region is the shared goal of Taiwan and Australia. I believe with the support of everyone here, both sides will have fruitful cooperation,” Ms. Tsai said.
She met with Australian lawmakers visiting Taipei on Tuesday. Australian lawmaker Josh Wilson echoed her message saying Canberra is committed to working with Taiwan and other partners to protect stability in the region.
Other lawmakers described Taiwan as “an important economic partner for Australia.”
Ms. Tsai also called on Australia to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Taiwan and China both applied to join the landmark trade pact in 2021. The Chinese Communist Party opposes adding Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory despite never having ruled it.
Australia has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.