President Tsai Ing-wen touted close Taiwan-Australia relations Dec. 7, vowing to expand exchanges across an array of areas as part of government efforts to further deepen friendship between the two sides.
Ties between Taiwan and Australia are going from strength to strength, Tsai said. This is evidenced by cooperation in the energy sector, including on a long-term contract for liquefied natural gas purchases and the launch of the country’s first offshore wind farm in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County.
Australia is Taiwan’s fourth largest provider of agricultural and food products, Tsai said, adding that the historic high of $US14.8 billion in bilateral trade last year is a testament to the healthy state of affairs.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving outgoing Australian Representative to Taiwan Gary Cowan at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
According to Tsai, Taiwan is seeking to clinch an economic cooperation agreement with Australia to further deepen the two sides’ partnership. The government will continue working with countries like Australia on international issues via the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, she said.
GCTF, launched in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S., aims to build capacity and strengthen multilateral cooperation among like-minded partners. Other participants include Japan and Sweden.
Tsai also took the opportunity to thank Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison for speaking in support of Taiwan’s international participation.
Australia is one of the countries targeted by the New Southbound Policy, a key plank in the government’s national development strategy since Tsai took office in 2016. The far-sighted initiative seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the country along with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries and New Zealand. (YCH-E)
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