'Australia in Conflict with China, Strengthening Trade Ties with Taiwan'

Regular Senior-Level Video Conference
"Exchange of Views on Trade, Investment, Energy, etc."

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Australia, which is experiencing political conflicts with China, is continuing close cooperation by holding a high-level trade meeting with Taiwan.

According to local Taiwanese media on the 6th, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that on the 1st, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua and Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan held a video conference.

During the video conference, the two countries exchanged a wide range of opinions on trade, including investment, energy, biotechnology, and international affairs.

Foreign media evaluated that Australia is likely to strengthen close economic and trade relations with Taiwan through this meeting.

The Australian Office in Taiwan stated on Twitter immediately after the meeting, "There were many achievements in the video dialogue between the economic and trade ministers of Australia and Taiwan."

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs also announced that Trade Minister Dan Tehan plans to invite Minister Wang to attend a hydrogen-related seminar hosted by the Australian Office in Taiwan later this month.

Earlier, Taiwan's leading media outlet Liberty Times reported that Tao Lingyuan, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane, Australia, said in an interview with Australian media last May that efforts would be made to pursue a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia.

The conflict between China and Australia began in 2018 when the Australian government banned Huawei's participation in the 5G network citing security threats.

In response, the Chinese government and Huawei strongly opposed the decision, claiming it was politically motivated, and Huawei ended its sponsorship of the Australian rugby team one year earlier than planned at the end of August.

The conflict between the two countries, triggered by Australia's exclusion of Huawei from its 5G network construction project, has intensified over issues such as the responsibility for COVID-19 and China's enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Australia is a member of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: the United States, India, Japan, and Australia), an informal security consultative group that the Joe Biden administration is focusing on as a strategy to check China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.