The lately concluded Yushan Forum, identified for its position because the flagship convention to propagate Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy, generated a lot nervousness and furor in Chinese language coverage circles. A significant attraction of the occasion was the presence of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who made an unambiguous statement concerning the risks posed by China’s aggressive postures and the position Taiwan and Australia may play in coping with it. Apparently, Abbott Taiwan’s go to got here at a time when China’s Air Protection Identification Zone (ADIZ) incursions have been at a peak, with worldwide help pouring in for Taiwan.
Abbott’s journey to Taiwan grew to become a subject of dialogue in Taiwanese, Chinese language, and Australian media alike. The principle goal of his go to was to attend the Yushan Discussion board, the place he delivered a keynote address together with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. Abbott talked about that two years again, he had declined an invite to attend the discussion board because of a probability of frightening China however readily accepted the invitation to attend in 2021. Despite the fact that he visited in his private capability, his resolution this yr echoed altering Australian perceptions about Taiwan, China, and the cross-strait dynamics.
Within the latest previous, Australia has proven a agency strategy in coping with China’s coercion and aggression. The scrapping of Victoria’s Belt and Highway Initiative deal primarily based on Australia’s Foreign Relations Act is a working example. This variation in Australian notion is just not solely on the coverage elites’ stage; even widespread peoples’ notion of Australia is altering. In keeping with poll data, solely 23 p.c of Australians now belief China as a accountable energy, a share that’s lowering quickly.
Final yr, when China imposed 200 p.c import tariffs on Australian wine, Taiwan got here ahead to specific solidarity and even began a “Freedom Wine” marketing campaign to induce Taiwanese to buy Australian wine. Reciprocating Taiwan’s gesture, Australia additionally expressed help for Taiwan on an analogous situation regarding a Chinese language ban on Taiwanese pineapples. The 2 nations signed the Taiwan-Australia Agricultural Cooperation Implementation clause to export 6,000 kilograms of Taiwanese pineapples to Australia.
The rising Australia-Taiwan bonhomie doesn’t solely hinge on China; there’s curiosity within the partnership by itself deserves. The newest instance in that regard is the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of Australia’s workplace in Taiwan, and an announcement launching the “Australia-Taiwan Friendship Year – Arts Exchange Partnership.”
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Whereas earlier Australia’s pursuits primarily lay in preserving peace and stability within the area, it has now begun to name Taiwan an important partner in the Indo-Pacific. After a very long time, Taiwan is being seen for what it’s: a thriving liberal democracy in a area the place they’re briefly provide. There’s a seen shift in how Taiwan is perceived vis-à-vis China. Latest developments have additionally led to a realization that partaking Taiwan is useful, and relations with Taiwan shouldn’t be be held hostage to China. Australia is realizing the futility of preserving ties with Taiwan at a naked minimal when China reveals no real interest in mending ties with the management.
This side has been clearly seen in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coverage towards China and Taiwan. A number of statements by Australia have talked about Taiwan and the significance of sustaining peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait. For its half, Taiwan has additionally expressed positive views towards AUKUS and the Quad, the place Australia is a key member.
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For a very long time, Australia’s stance on regional safety underlined its self-defined position of a deputy sheriff to america within the area. Now, the China problem is just too large for Australia to simply depend on america. Canberra is taking a extra energetic position in preserving regional safety, and that extends to its relationship with Taiwan.
Throughout his Taiwan go to, Abbott stated, “Nothing is more pressing right now, than solidarity with Taiwan.” This isn’t solely manifested in Australia’s strategy towards Taiwan now, but in addition conveys a message to the worldwide neighborhood that it’s not viable to disregard Taiwan, which is a vibrant democracy, has strong civil society, and has contributed to international improvement. Being attentive to Taiwan and standing up with Taiwan will constructively contribute to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
Whereas a significant coverage change is probably not within the playing cards, Australia is now transferring away from the narrative that inching nearer to Taiwan will anger China. Canberra is getting nearer to constructing a extra sustainable coverage framework to advance ties with Taiwan.
