Why Does Taiwan’s Safety Matter To Australians?

 

It is clear that Taiwan shares much in common with Australia. It is an island in the Pacific with a population of 23 million people, a population of indigenous people with a long history, and is a country with a complex relationship with China and the United States.

However, little is known about Taiwan among many Australians. Taiwan is most often referred to as a security risk or “flashpoint” in world affairs. This is especially so in Australia, where Taiwan is seen through the prism of our relationship with China and what relations between these two countries mean for regional stability.

However, continued references to Taiwan in this way only serve to diminish and obfuscate the important relationship Australia actually has with Taiwan.

Taiwan as a partner in the Asia-Pacific region

Taiwan’s successful political model, functioning inside a culturally Chinese society, is proof that Chinese culture and democracy are compatible.

Australia and Taiwan do not have official diplomatic relations. Australia recognises the government of the PRC (the People’s Republic of China, as opposed to the Taiwanese Republic of China) as the sole legal government of China.

However, according to DFAT’s brief on Taiwan, Australia does support the development of economic and cultural contacts – on an unofficial basis – between Australia and Taiwan.

Australia is often told it punches above its weight in world affairs. Taiwan, as the world’s 19th largest economy, could equally be said to be the same. However, it is internationally recognised only for its fragile political status.

The renewed debate about Australia’s balancing act between China and the United States runs the risk of clouding our relationship with Taiwan.

As Australia starts to enter the Asian Century, Australia’s future will be increasingly centred in Asia, and forming enduring social and cultural ties is essential to ensure Australia maintains good relations with its neighbours in the future.

 

Business Relations with Taiwan 

From an economic point of view, Taiwan and Australia are much closer than many would expect. According to DFAT, Taiwan was Australia’s sixth largest merchandise export market in 2011, increasing by 9% from the previous year – with coal, iron ore, and aluminium being the main products being imported.

Taiwan is also a global economic player. It has 42 companies in the Forbes Global 2000 Leading Companies, compared to Australia’s 44. Moreover, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is ranked in the top 25 metropolitan areas with the most Global 500 companies. No Australian city is included in the top 25.

Taiwan as a hub for exports and trade

Australian businesses should look for new markets in Southeast Asia as the Chinese economy is slowing down. Taiwan can act as a launching pad to enter other South Asian markets. 

Taiwan has also been able to preserve much of its history and is now a bastion of Chinese culture and history.

As Asia becomes more and more important, and China in particular. It will be increasingly important to understand the cultural and historical paradigms shaping these societies.

While Australia is already a large destination for Taiwanese students, Taiwan is still very much overlooked by Australian students. Yet the Taiwanese government offers generous scholarships to Australians via its Huayu Scholarship program to learn Chinese and get to know Taiwan.

Read Full Article: Why Does Taiwan’s Safety Matter To Australians?