Leslie Massey
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. In 1972, Australia signed a joint communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC) recognising the PRC as the sole legal government of China and acknowledging the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of the PRC. This joint communiqué dictated the fundamental basis of Australia's 'One China' policy. Despite the Australian government's position, a majority of Australians regard Taiwan as a sovereign state. Australia supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences and the two countries share interests in a rules-based, open, inclusive and stable Indo-Pacific region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's stance on Taiwan's sovereignty | Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state |
| Australia's recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) | Australia recognises the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledges its position that Taiwan is a province of the PRC |
| Australia-Taiwan relations | Australia supports the development of economic and cultural relations with Taiwan, including trade and investment opportunities. Australia also supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences. |
| Australia's position on China's threat to Taiwan | Australia has encouraged the PRC to exercise restraint in using military force against Taiwan. The Australian Parliament has formally condemned China's use of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, declaring that it does not establish the PRC's sovereignty over Taiwan. |
| Public opinion in Australia | A majority of Australians regard Taiwan as a sovereign state and support taking action if China invades Taiwan. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's official stance on Taiwan's sovereignty
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. In 1972, Australia signed a joint communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC) recognising the PRC as the sole legal government of China and acknowledging the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of China. This joint communiqué forms the basis of Australia's 'One China' policy.
Despite this official stance, Australia has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan. In 1990, the Australian Minister for Technology and Commerce, Senator John Button, declared government support for closer economic relations with Taiwan. Australia and Taiwan have also entered into Memorandums of Understanding, which encourage relations between states on a 'moral and political basis'. Australia supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences, and the two countries share interests in areas such as education, green energy innovation, biotechnology, smart cities and multilateral affairs.
Australia's unofficial relationship with Taiwan has caused some tension with the PRC. In 1999, the US Assistant Secretary of Defence, Richard Armitage, visited Australia and stated that, in the event of a conflict, the US would 'demand Australian support, including military support if demanded'. This placed Australia in a precarious position with the PRC, as it was still trying to retain its economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan. In 2024, the Parliament of Australia formally condemned China's use of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, declaring that the resolution does not establish the PRC's sovereignty over Taiwan.
While the Australian government does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, many Australians do. A 2022 survey found that 65% of Australians regarded Taiwan as an independent sovereign state, and 67% said Australia should take some form of action if China were to invade Taiwan.
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Australia-Taiwan relations
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. 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 joint communiqué dictates the fundamental basis of Australia's one-China policy.
Despite this, Australia and Taiwan have a strong unofficial relationship. Australia supports the development of economic and cultural relations with Taiwan, including two-way visits, trade and investment opportunities, and people-to-people links. Australia is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food and services to Taiwan, and the two countries share interests in areas such as education, green energy innovation, biotechnology, smart cities, and multilateral affairs. Australia also supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences.
Australia's relationship with Taiwan has been influenced by the 'China question', a term used to describe the rivalry between the PRC and the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan, each claiming to be the legitimate government of China. Australia recognised the ROC until 1972, when it established diplomatic relations with the PRC. The UN's rejection of the ROC's claim to independent statehood in 1971 and Australia's subsequent recognition of the PRC led to a period of deliberate ambiguity in Australia-Taiwan relations.
In the 1990s, Australia's relations with Taiwan were influenced by the 'Armitage Scenario', where the United States would demand Australia's support, including military support, in the event of a conflict with China. This complicated Australia's relationship with the PRC and led to tensions as Australia tried to balance its economic and cultural ties with Taiwan while adhering to the one-China policy.
While the Australian government does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, public opinion surveys show that most Australians regard Taiwan as an independent country.
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Australia's unofficial relationship with Taiwan
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. 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 joint communiqué dictates the fundamental basis of Australia's one-China policy.
Despite this, Australia has an unofficial relationship with Taiwan. The Australian Government strongly supports the development of economic and cultural relations with Taiwan, including a range of two-way visits, trade and investment opportunities, and people-to-people links. Australia supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences and is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food and services to Taiwan.
Australia and Taiwan have also used other documents that are not legally binding, such as Memorandums of Understanding, to develop their unofficial relationship. These agreements encourage relations between states on a 'moral and political basis'. Arrangements have been made on a variety of topics, such as access by Taiwanese fishing vessels to Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone, established in 1979 and 1986.
In 1999, the 'Armitage Scenario' influenced Australia's relations with Taiwan. Richard Armitage, former US Assistant Secretary of Defence, visited Australia and expressed that the United States would 'demand Australian support, including military support if demanded' in the event of a conflict with China. This placed Australia in a precarious position with the PRC, as an aide of Jiang Zemin stated that Australia faced 'very serious consequences' if it sided with the US in a future Taiwan conflict. However, Australia still sought to retain its economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan.
In August 2024, the Parliament of Australia formally condemned China's use of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, declaring that the resolution "does not establish the People’s Republic of China's sovereignty over Taiwan and does not determine the future status of Taiwan in the UN". This reflects the view of most Australians, who regard Taiwan as a sovereign state. A survey found that 67% of Australians believed that Australia should take some form of action if China were to invade Taiwan, with 48% specifically supporting trade or economic sanctions.
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Australians' perception of Taiwan's sovereignty
Australians' perceptions of Taiwan's sovereignty are varied and influenced by the country's complex political history and international relations. While the Australian government does not officially recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, many Australians consider Taiwan to be an independent country.
Historically, Australia recognised the Republic of China (ROC), which included Taiwan, until 1972, when it established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since then, Australia has adhered to the "One China" policy, recognising the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledging Taiwan as a province of China. This position is in line with the United Nations' decision in 1971 to reject Taiwan's claim to independent statehood and expel it from the UN.
However, public opinion in Australia often diverges from the official government stance. A 2022 survey found that a clear majority of Australians regard Taiwan as a sovereign state, with fewer than 10% considering it part of China. This perception is influenced by the widespread belief that China poses a threat to national security and concerns about China's potential use of force against Taiwan. Many Australians support taking diplomatic or economic action if China were to invade Taiwan, although there is less support for direct military involvement.
Despite not officially recognising Taiwan's sovereignty, Australia maintains strong unofficial relations with the island. Australia supports the development of economic and cultural ties with Taiwan and encourages Taiwan's participation in international organisations and conferences. Australia and Taiwan share interests in various sectors, including education, green energy, biotechnology, and multilateral affairs. Additionally, Australia has expressed concern over China's threats of using military force against Taiwan and has emphasised the need for restraint.
In summary, while the Australian government's official position is to recognise the PRC and not Taiwan as a sovereign state, public perception among Australians often differs, with many regarding Taiwan as an independent country and supporting its sovereignty. This discrepancy creates a complex dynamic in Australia's relations with both Taiwan and China.
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Australia's 'One China' policy
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. 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.
Australia's one-China policy means that Australia does not regard the authorities in Taiwan as having the status of a national government. However, Australia does maintain unofficial contacts with Taiwan, promoting economic, trade, and cultural interests. Australia supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations and conferences. Relations across the Strait are principally managed via semi-official agencies: Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS).
In 1992, a meeting of both sides took place on the understanding that each side could verbally state its opinion of 'one China'. For Taiwan, this meant the Republic of China (ROC), and for China, this meant the PRC. This understanding was later referred to as the '1992 Consensus'. Cross-Strait relations have become more difficult since the election of the pro-democracy Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2016. Beijing has criticised DPP leadership for not endorsing the '1992 Consensus' and has suspended official and semi-official channels of communication.
Despite not recognising Taiwan as a sovereign state, Australia has a substantial relationship with Taiwan, including trade and investment, education, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Taiwan is a world leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and has the 22nd largest economy in the world. Australia is a long-term, reliable supplier of energy, resources, food, and services to Taiwan. Australia and Taiwan share an interest in a rules-based, open, inclusive, and stable Indo-Pacific region.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. In 1972, Australia's Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China (PRC) recognised the PRC as China's sole legal government and acknowledged the PRC's position that Taiwan was a province of the PRC.
As of 2023, only 12 countries officially recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. These countries are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. However, Taiwan maintains unofficial relations with many other countries through trade, cultural exchanges, and other forms of cooperation.
The "One-China" policy dictates that there is only one China and Taiwan is an integral part of it. The PRC claims that the secession of Taiwan, which it considers to be a province of China, should be agreed upon by all Chinese citizens, not just the residents of Taiwan. This policy is recognised by a majority of nations and has resulted in Taiwan facing significant obstacles in obtaining broad international recognition.
