Representative Charng delivers 2021 National Day Address
Dear friends, good day. I am Elliott Yii-Lih Charng, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia. Today (10th October 2021) is the 110th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). I welcome you to join us to celebrate this special day.
COVID-19 has overwhelmed health systems and changed our daily lives severely around the globe. It is an unprecedented threat beyond borders. During the past 20 months, COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that mutual cooperation and concerted action is key to overcoming global challenges. I am proud to say that Taiwan and Australia have been working together to help each other by providing epidemic prevention materials and sharing experiences.
Over the years, Taiwan and Australia have cooperated in many areas on the basis of mutual benefits, such as trade and investment, agriculture, education, tourism, science, energy and minerals. The trade and investment relationship between Taiwan and Australia is strong and healthy. Australia is Taiwan's 10th largest trading partner, and Taiwan is Australia’s 9th largest merchandise export market and 15th largest merchandise import market. Australia's supply of agricultural products and Taiwan’s export of high-tech products show the complementary nature of the trade relationship between our two countries.
Taiwan has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Applying to join the CPTPP is an important economic and trade policy that my government has worked hard to promote for a long time. It shows that Taiwan’s application to join CPTPP fully demonstrates our commitment and determination to free trade fairly and transparently. We look forward to cooperating with each member (including Australia), and we also need your full support. I strongly believe that all members will benefit from Taiwan’s contribution.
This October also marks the 40th anniversary of the Australian Office in Taipei, while 2021 is named as “Taiwan-Australia Friendship Year” to celebrate the deep ties of friendship between Taiwan and Australia. We appreciate Australia's support for Taiwan, especially in the international arenas. At the same time, Taiwan is also willing to work with Australia towards a stable, healthy and prosperous Indo-Pacific area.
Once again, thank you for joining us, and I wish you all the best.
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