A bipartisan group of Australian parliamentarians is preparing to visit Taiwan in September, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on August 23.
Last year, six Australian parliamentarians visited Taiwan and met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior officials, ending a three-year hiatus in Australian parliamentary delegation visits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 19. This year, a larger delegation of 10 Australian MPs will head to Taipei, arriving in Taiwan at the end of September.
ABC was told this year’s delegation will also include opposition Labor MPs Josh Wilson, David Smith and Graham Perrett, as well as opposition shadow foreign minister Claire Chandler.
The delegation will be closely watched by China, which officially considers Taiwan its territory. In accordance with its one-China policy, the Australian government does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country, but maintains informal political ties with Taipei, as well as a deep trading relationship.
Chinese state media lashed out at Australia when it resumed visits by a parliamentary delegation in 2022, with MPs saying they hoped Beijing would do the same in response to the trip. But they hope this will not undermine Australia’s efforts to stabilize ties with Beijing.
Parliamentarians are preparing for the visit amid sensitive talks between Australian officials and their Chinese counterparts in a series of high-level meetings, including a planned visit to Australia by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a possible visit to China of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. later in 2023. .
Trade negotiations are also at a delicate stage. In early August, China agreed to lift years of heavy tariffs on Australian barley, and the Australian federal government hopes to use the precedent to resolve another trade dispute over import duties on Australian wine.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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