Australian Think Tank Urges Deeper Diplomatic, Trade, and Security Ties with Taiwan
A new report from the United States Studies Centre (USSC) is calling on the Australian federal government to significantly expand its diplomatic, trade, and security ties with Taiwan. Academics and former senior officials contributing to the report warn that Australia's relationship with Taiwan is at risk of stagnating due to an overly cautious approach.
Key Recommendations from the USSC Report
The report, titled "Australia-Taiwan relations: Policy Options and Priorities for Engagement," advocates for several crucial changes:
- Diplomatic Expansion: Increase Australia's diplomatic presence in Taiwan and consider ministerial visits.
- Sector Cooperation: Expand collaboration across various sectors, including green energy.
- Public Service Awareness: Enhance understanding of Taiwan within the Australian public service.
- Defence Cooperation (Tentative): Explore steps to bolster defence ties, such as appointing a de facto defence attaché in Taipei, providing logistical and material support for dual-use technology, assisting Taiwan in improving conflict preparedness, and facilitating direct contact between Taipei's diplomats and Australia's Defence Department.
Report co-author Peter Dean stated that Australia should find new ways to deepen its relationship with Taipei, especially as China increases pressure on Taiwan through military exercises and efforts to reduce its international diplomatic space.
Constraints and Concerns: Australia's One China Policy
Australia's long-standing One China policy currently constrains formal ties. This policy recognizes Beijing as China's legal government and acknowledges its position on Taiwan.
While Taiwan is a significant trading partner, Taipei has expressed frustration over the Albanese government's refusal to support its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) or explore new formal trade pacts.
The USSC report suggests that Canberra's focus on maintaining stable relations with Beijing has inadvertently eroded Taipei's trust in Australia as a reliable strategic partner.
Divergent Views on Defence Cooperation
Not all officials agree with the proposed defence recommendations. Former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) secretary Peter Varghese expressed strong disagreement with the report's recommendations on defence cooperation.
Varghese argued that such steps would have "serious adverse implications for our relationship with China without delivering to Australia the benefits which would justify paying these costs," and would push the relationship "right up to the boundary line of a state-to-state relationship."
Bolstering Economic Ties and Regional Stability
Beyond defence, the report recommends bolstering economic ties through new supply chains for critical minerals, exploring opportunities in batteries and emerging technologies, and fostering cooperation via state and city partnerships.
Professor Dean also emphasized the need for a broader public discussion about Taiwan's critical role in global supply chains and the potentially "catastrophic" impact of any invasion or blockade.
He stated that the debate should move beyond viewing Taiwan solely as a security problem that could lead to war, and instead focus on it as a regional management issue aimed at preventing conflict and maintaining the status quo.