President Tsai Ing-wen says that Taiwan hopes to start talks with Australia to pave the way for an economic cooperation agreement. Tsai was speaking Thursday during an online event organized by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Tsai delivered a keynote speech at the think tank’s inaugural Indo-Pacific Leaders Dialogue session, which focused on Taiwan’s future.
Tsai said that maintaining regional peace and prosperity is the joint responsibility of both Taiwan and China, and that doing so is in the best interests of both sides.
Tsai also said that the COVID-19 pandemic has quickened the pace of reorganization in the global supply chain, and that Taiwan hopes to start talks with Australia on promoting bilateral economic cooperation as soon as possible.
Tsai said that Taiwan can play an important role in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership if its bid to join the trade bloc succeeds. That’s because this would allow Taiwan to develop ties not just with Australia, but with allies in the Pacific and regional partners in the Indo-Pacific as well.