In response to a media question at the APEC summit in Thailand on November 18, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was only for recognized states. The government of Australia has since clarified with Taiwan that its stance on Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP has not changed and that it continues to welcome the entry of all economies that meet the high standards of the CPTPP, including Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes the Australian government’s reaffirmation of its consistent position on Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP.

Taiwan will continue to seek the support of CPTPP members, including Australia, in accordance with related CPTPP accession rules. It will also work to deepen reciprocal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation and investment ties with Australia and all other CPTPP members to strengthen Taiwan’s role in critical global supply chains and bolster its strategic economic status.