Australia Cultural Foundation Hosts Taiwan-Australia Relations Forum, Calling for Support for Taiwan’s CPTPP Membership
On February 28, the Australia Cultural Foundation held the Taiwan-Australia Relations Forum at the Queensland Parliament, bringing together prominent experts and scholars from Australian politics and academia.
In his opening remarks, Director-General William Fan of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Brisbane expressed gratitude to the organizers and emphasized Taiwan’s economic resilience and democratic strength as key contributors to global peace and prosperity. He urged the Australian government to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to enhance bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.
He highlighted the crucial role played by the Taiwanese community in Queensland, whose deep-rooted efforts have helped showcase Taiwan’s presence in Australia.
During the panel discussion, Ambassador Douglas Hsu of TECO Australia emphasized that among all CPTPP applicants, Taiwan has the largest economy and a well-established high-tech industrial chain, making it one of the most qualified candidates for membership. He called on Australia to approach Taiwan’s application with fairness, objectivity, and flexibility and to continue supporting Taiwan’s deeper integration into the regional economy.
Ambassador Hsu also thanked the Australian government for its consistent stance on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressed his hope for continued engagement with the Australian government, Parliament, and various stakeholders.
Senator Paul Scarr highlighted that in August 2024, the Australian Senate unanimously passed an urgent motion clarifying that UN Resolution 2758 does not recognize the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan nor determine Taiwan’s future status.
He further noted that earlier this year, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement rejecting China’s misleading claims, emphasizing that Australia’s "One China Policy" is distinct from China’s "One China Principle". He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to strengthening economic, technological, and trade relations with Taiwan 
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.The forum, moderated by Executive Director Edward Lin, was livestreamed online. Keynote speakers, including Mr Rowan Callick OBE, Professor Mark Harrison, and Dr. Mei-fen Kuo, explored the historical evolution of Taiwan-Australia relations and their future trajectory.
They stressed that UN Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan’s status and that Taiwan’s future should be decided by its own people. The forum concluded with a shared vision for a pragmatic, multilateral approach to deepening Taiwan-Australia relations.
The forum attracts over 100 attendees, including Queensland’s Deputy Speaker, Brisbane city councillors, diplomats from Japan, the Philippines, and Portugal, as well as Australian experts and community leaders.
