President Tsai Ing-wen has met with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Presidential Office in Taipei.
During the meeting Thursday, Tsai said that Taiwan and Australia are important partners. She said that the reason Taiwan has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is that it hopes to strengthen its trade links with Australia and the wider world.
Tsai said that Australia and its partners in “the Quad” security dialogue have shown a concern for the Taiwan issue. She also said that Australia has voiced its support for Taiwan’s participation in the international community while stressing the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Tsai said that Taiwan is willing to contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability. She said that Taiwan is also ready to cooperate with all countries that share its democratic values on vaccines, new technologies, the issue of climate change, and supply chain issues.
Abbott congratulated Taiwan for its success in keeping COVID-19 in check, especially as it continues to be excluded from WHO. He said he is visiting Taiwan in the hope of helping Taiwan take part in such international organizations.
He said what he can do now is to deepen Australia’s ties with Taiwan, especially in the area of trade. He said he hopes the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will support Taiwan’s entry into the agreement.
Abbott praised Taiwan’s development from an autocratic nation into a thriving and pluralistic democracy. He said this shows the Indo-Pacific region that it is possible to enjoy prosperity and democracy at the same time. However, he said that not all are happy to see Taiwan’s progress and prosperity, and this is why it is important for other democratic nations to show solidarity with Taiwan.