Unlike China, Taiwan offers a partnership without conditions
DOUGLAS HSU
Taiwan is a vibrant democracy of 23 million people. We hold free elections, run independent courts and determine our own foreign policy. We are one of Australia’s top 10 trading partners. Our semiconductor fabs produce 90 per cent of the world’s most advanced chips – critical inputs for defence systems, electric vehicles, medical devices and data centres. Much of this manufacturing is powered by Australian LNG, reflecting the critical energy partnership between our economies – Australia is literally keeping the lights on.
China’s ambassador, Xiao Qian, writing this week, suggested it was “inadvisable and unacceptable” for Australia to comment on military exercises conducted off Taiwan’s coast. But those exercises – the largest since 2022 – simulated a blockade of our ports. If that is not a matter of regional concern, what is?
Taiwan’s government, under President Lai Ching-te, remains committed to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We have consistently sought dialogue with Beijing. While our approaches have been rebuffed, our door remains open. Taiwan is not conducting massive military drills. Taiwan is not simulating blockades of foreign ports. Taiwan is not ramming vessels in contested waters, severing undersea cables, or publishing war college playbooks for invasion and occupation.
Australians are well aware of concerns about foreign interference in democratic processes. When Beijing’s efforts to infiltrate and influence fall short, it turns to overt threats.
Xiao Qian’s warning that those who “obstruct reunification” will not be forgiven – while reminding Australia of the benefits of trade with China – follows a familiar pattern. The message is unmistakeable: go along to get along. Australians will draw their own conclusions about what kind of partner engages in this sort of diplomacy.
Taiwan takes a different approach. We respect our hosts. We do not lecture. We do not threaten.
We are, however, serious about our own defence. Taiwan is expanding its defence budget towards 5 per cent of GDP by 2030 – the largest sustained military investment in our modern history. We are building indigenous aircraft, naval vessels and a domestic drone supply chain. We have incorporated nationwide civilian defence drills into our annual exercises and published a national emergency preparedness guide for our citizens.
These are not the actions of a government seeking confrontation. They are the actions of a society determined to preserve its way of life and deter those who would take it by force. Peace through strength is not a slogan; it is our policy. Beyond defence, Taiwan remains focused on deepening partnerships with like-minded nations – and few relationships hold more promise than the one between Taiwan and Australia.
Taiwan is a natural partner for the Albanese government’s economic agenda. Our semiconductor expertise can play a substantial role in supporting the Future Made in Australia vision, from critical minerals processing to advanced manufacturing.
The vitality of our relationship does not rest only on trade and technology – it rests in the friendship between our peoples. Over the past two years, Australian tourism to Taiwan has grown by double digits. Last year we opened a Taiwan Tourism Information Centre in Sydney. With additional direct flights under consideration, we look forward to welcoming even more Australians to experience Taiwan’s warmth first-hand.
Xiao likens Taiwan to Tasmania. But Taiwan has far more in common with Australia than the beautiful Australian state of Tasmania – like Australia, Taiwan is a strong, proud, maritime trading nation with global reach.
Taiwan offers Australia partnership without conditions, co-operation without coercion, and friendship without ultimatums. That is the relationship we are building.
As I have written in these pages before, engaging with the Australian public through the lens of China always seems do a disservice to the important story my country is writing.