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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Foreign media: China pressures Australia to block Perth office; Ministry: China cannot comment

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Foreign media reports indicate China is pressuring Australia to prevent Taiwan from opening an office in Perth.
  • Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned China's "unreasonable suppression" and reiterated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.
  • The report highlights Western Australia's growing strategic importance due to deepening cooperation with the U.S. on critical minerals and submarine deployments.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned China's alleged "unreasonable suppression" of Taiwan's international engagements after foreign media reported Beijing is pressuring Australia to block the establishment of a Taiwanese representative office in Perth. The ministry reiterated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other and that China has no right to comment on Taiwan's participation in international affairs.

According to a report by The Nightly, the Chinese government informed The West Australian newspaper that its embassy in Australia had formally protested to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs against Taiwan's proposal to set up an office in Perth, urging Australia to adhere to the "One China principle." Taiwan's representative office in Australia confirmed earlier this year that it had submitted a proposal for the Perth office. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has not responded to inquiries regarding the application or China's alleged obstruction.

Taiwan's participation in international affairs is absolutely not to be commented on by China.

— Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign AffairsResponding to China's alleged pressure regarding Taiwan's representative office in Perth.

The report notes Western Australia's increasing strategic significance, particularly with deepening cooperation between the U.S. and Australia on critical minerals and plans for U.S. submarine deployments at the HMAS Stirling naval base. In response to these developments, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its condemnation of China's actions and reaffirmed Taiwan's independent status.

Taiwan values its long-standing, mutually beneficial, and friendly partnership with Australia. The ministry indicated it will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Regarding the specific progress of the Perth office establishment, the ministry stated there was no further information to provide at this time. Taiwan currently maintains an office in Canberra, along with representative offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Taiwan cherishes the long-standing, mutually beneficial, and friendly partnership between Taiwan and Australia.

— Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign AffairsAffirming bilateral relations amid the diplomatic dispute.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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