Lexi Webster
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a country. In 1972, Australia signed a joint communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC), recognising the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledging the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of the PRC. This formed the basis of Australia's one-China policy, meaning Australia does not regard Taiwanese authorities as having the status of a national government. Despite this, Australia still maintains economic and cultural relations with Taiwan on an unofficial basis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's recognition of Taiwan as a country | No |
| Australia's recognition of the PRC as a country | Yes |
| Australia's stance on the 'China Question' | Australia has adopted a "one-China policy" and does not recognise the ROC as a sovereign state |
| Australia-Taiwan relations | Strong economic and cultural relations maintained on an unofficial basis |
| Australia's stance on Taiwan's independence | Australia has chastised Taiwan for its renewed push for independence |
| Australia's stance on Taiwan's international participation | Australia has supported Taiwan's international participation |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's Joint Communiqué with the PRC
Australia's Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC), signed in 1972, recognised the PRC as the 'sole legitimate government of China'. This communiqué was established after the Australian government recognised the Communist Party's victory in the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and established diplomatic relations with the PRC in 1972.
The Joint Communiqué acknowledged the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of China, and not a sovereign state. This dictated the basis of Australia's one-China policy, which does not recognise the Republic of China (ROC) as a sovereign state, nor does it regard the authorities in Taiwan as having the status of a national government.
The Joint Communiqué established diplomatic guidelines for official Australian contact with Taiwan, and led to the discontinuation of official diplomatic links with Taiwan. Despite this, Australia and Taiwan maintain strong unofficial relations, with Australia being a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food and services to Taiwan. Taiwan was Australia's ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023, with trade worth $33.6 billion.
In addition to trade, Australia and Taiwan have growing people-to-people contacts, including in the arts, education, science, tourism and sport. The two countries hold annual Bilateral Economic Consultations, as well as Joint Energy and Minerals, Trade and Investment Cooperation (JEMTIC) Consultations and an Agricultural Working Group (AWG) meeting.
Australia's relationship with Taiwan has been influenced by various factors over time, including the China question, the democratisation of Taiwan, and the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, which contributed to increased tensions between Australia and the PRC.
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Australia's economic relationship with Taiwan
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a country. Instead, it acknowledges the People's Republic of China's (PRC) claim that Taiwan is a province of the PRC. This stance is reflected in Australia's Joint Communiqué with the PRC, which dictates the fundamental basis of Australia's one-China policy.
Despite this, Australia and Taiwan maintain a substantial economic relationship. Taiwan was Australia's ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023, with trade worth $33.6 billion. Australia is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food, and services to Taiwan, and their economies are highly complementary.
Australia and Taiwan share interests in a rules-based, open, inclusive, and stable Indo-Pacific region. Their interests intersect in areas such as education, green energy innovation and investment, biotechnology, smart cities, and multilateral affairs. People-to-people contacts are also growing, including in the arts, education, science, tourism, and sports.
In 1981, Australia established the Australian Commerce and Industry office (ACIO) in Taiwan, which acted as an unofficial organisation for trade representatives, tourist promotion, and visa applications. In 1988, Taiwan reciprocated by establishing the Taiwan Marketing Service (TMS) in Australia. In 1990, an Australian education centre was set up in Taipei to promote mutual student and cultural exchange.
Taiwan's economy, the twenty-second largest in the world, relies heavily on trade with the PRC, its largest trading partner. However, Taiwan has been attempting to diversify its trade relationships, especially as its semiconductor manufacturing industry thrives globally.
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Australia's unofficial relations with Taiwan
Australia does not officially recognise Taiwan as a country. In 1972, Australia signed a joint communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC), recognising the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledging the PRC's position that Taiwan is a province of the PRC. This formed the basis of Australia's "one-China policy", meaning Australia does not regard Taiwanese authorities as having the status of a national government.
However, Australia maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan. The Australian Office Taipei focuses on trade and investment, education, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Taiwan was Australia's ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023, with trade worth $33.6 billion. Australia is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food, and services to Taiwan. The two countries' interests intersect across areas such as education, green energy innovation and investment, biotechnology, smart cities, and multilateral affairs.
In 1981, the Australian Commerce and Industry Office (ACIO) was established in Taiwan, acting as an unofficial organisation for trade representatives, tourist promotion, and visa applications. In 1988, the Taiwan Marketing Service (TMS) was established as a Taiwanese equivalent to the ACIO in Australia. In 1990, an Australian education centre was created in Taipei to promote mutual student and cultural exchange.
In 2008, Australia "chastised Taiwan for its renewed push for independence" and "reiterated its support for a one-China policy". However, Australia-Taiwan relations have been growing in non-political areas, including an annual Bilateral Economic Consultation, Joint Energy, Mineral, Trade and Investment Cooperation Consultation (JEMTIC), and an Agriculture Working Group meeting.
Taiwan's political status is a highly complex and contentious issue. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), considers itself an independent state. However, the PRC, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, blocks Taiwan from membership in international bodies such as the World Health Assembly. Only a small number of countries, mostly small island states, officially recognise Taiwan as the ROC.
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Australia's support for a one-China policy
Historically, Australia recognised the ROC until 1972, when diplomatic relations shifted towards the PRC. This shift was influenced by factors such as anti-communist sentiment, Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, and its close ties with the US. Despite not officially recognising Taiwan, Australia maintains friendly non-official relations with the island.
Australia and Taiwan share significant economic, cultural, and educational ties. Taiwan is a key trading partner for Australia, ranking as its ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023. The two countries have established organisations such as the Australian Commerce and Industry Office (ACIO) and the Taiwan Marketing Service (TMS) to facilitate trade, investment, and tourism. Additionally, Australia and Taiwan collaborate in areas like green energy innovation, biotechnology, and smart cities.
In recent years, Australia has reiterated its support for a one-China policy while also advocating for Taiwan's international participation. Australia has emphasised its preference for a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue and has expressed concern over potential military conflicts in the region. Australia's stance aims to maintain stability and avoid sending mixed policy signals regarding Taiwan.
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Australia's stance on Taiwan's independence
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a country. In 1972, Australia signed a joint communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC), recognising the PRC as China's sole legal government. In doing so, Australia acknowledged the PRC's position that Taiwan is a province of the PRC. This formed the basis of Australia's "'one-China policy'", which means Australia does not regard Taiwanese authorities as having the status of a national government.
Despite not officially recognising Taiwan, Australia maintains strong economic and cultural relations with the territory. Taiwan was Australia's ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023, with trade worth $33.6 billion. Australia is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food and services to Taiwan. There are also growing people-to-people contacts in areas such as arts, education, science, tourism and sport.
Australia has been criticised for sending mixed policy signals over Taiwan. In 2008, Australia "chastised Taiwan for its renewed push for independence" and "reiterated its support for a one-China policy". However, Australia has also supported Taiwan's international participation, to the appreciation of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Taiwan's political status is a highly complex and contentious issue. The PRC considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province, while many Taiwanese people consider their self-ruled island to be a separate nation. Taiwan has alternated between country and territory status throughout its history. As of 2024, 12 countries recognised Taiwan as a sovereign country, although this number may have since changed.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a country.
Australia's Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1972 recognised the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledged the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of the PRC. This forms the basis of Australia's "one-China policy", which means Australia does not regard Taiwanese authorities as having the status of a national government.
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), considers itself a separate nation from mainland China, which is officially the PRC.
As of 2024, only 12-15 countries recognised Taiwan as a sovereign country.
Despite not officially recognising Taiwan, Australia maintains friendly non-official relations with the country. Australia and Taiwan have growing people-to-people contacts, including in the arts, education, science, tourism and sport. Taiwan was Australia's ninth-largest two-way goods and services trading partner in 2023, with trade worth $33.6 billion.
