During this period, China has frequently appeared on the international stage. During the G20 summit, leaders of many countries "queued up" to meet with Chinese leaders, including leaders from many European countries, the United States, Japan and Australia, and other countries met. During this period, all countries made important commitments to China, especially on the Taiwan Strait issue, expressing their adherence to the "one China" policy, which can also be seen that China's influence is constantly expanding.
Just after the G20 summit, an informal meeting of leaders of APEC was also held in Thailand. It is reported that Australian Prime Minister Albany said in an interview with Bangkok that CPTPP is an agreement between "recognized countries", and Taiwan does not fall into this category, so it is now only participating in APEC as an economy. The implication of the Australian Prime Minister is that Australian government refuses Taiwan to join CPTPP.
It is reported that the "Comprehensive Progress Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnerships" (CPTPP) came into effect in December 2018, and its member states include 11 countries including Australia, Canada, and Japan. Mainland China and Taiwan applied to join last year. At that time, former Australian Prime Minister Morrison supported Taiwan's application to join during his term, but the current Prime Minister Albany's attitude towards this matter is completely different, which also helps improve China-Australia relations.
In recent years, the Taiwan authorities have also actively applied to join the CPTPP, but in fact, the parties to the CPTPP are all independent countries and are China's countries with diplomatic relations. As part of China, Taiwan is not qualified to "enter the group" . If countries accept applications from the Taiwan authorities, they are violating the "one-China principle", so the result is clear at a glance, and no one can bear the consequences of challenging China on such a core issue.
In fact, the Taiwan authorities want to join CPTPP, with a clear purpose. First, they are trying to "seek independence" and second, they want to reduce their economic dependence on mainland China . However, in any case, the Taiwan authorities' attempt to join CPTPP is doomed to fail. On the one hand, as a trade-oriented organization, the main purpose of CPTPP is to strengthen economic exchanges. As the world's main trade market, mainland China will not offend mainland China for the sake of Taiwan.
At the same time, the Australian Prime Minister emphasized that both parties in Australia support the one-China policy. It can be seen that compared with the last Australian government, the Australian government's position on the Taiwan Strait issue has undergone a very obvious change, which seems to be a precursor to the easing of China-Australia relations. In fact, in recent times, the Australian government has repeatedly signaled that it has "relieved" the past.
Just this month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a call with Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian at the invitation. During the call, Huang Yingxian said that Australia will adhere to the "one-China principle" and emphasized the importance of restoring stability in China-Australia relations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi agrees with this. The Australian Prime Minister then also called on China, expressing his hope that China and Australia can maintain communication and dialogue and resume trade cooperation as soon as possible.
Previously, Australian intelligence director Simon was asked whether Australia would "send troops to support" if conflict broke out in the Taiwan Strait. Simon said that all Australian decisions will be made in , rather than taking it for granted. Australia will continue to support the one-China policy and hope that the Taiwan Strait can maintain the status quo.
Australia Finance Minister Chalmers recently said that Australia hopes to see the trade restrictions worth 20 billion Australian dollars per year be lifted, and Australian products need the Chinese market, but the Australian government has banned China Huawei from entering its 5G network construction under the pretext of national security. If Australia wants China to lift the ban on related Australian products, then Australia must lift the ban on related Chinese products to be possible.
As for why Australia suddenly changed its words now, the biggest reason is that it wants to repair relations with China and resume economic and trade cooperation. Australian politicians have sent a series of signals to China and put forward suggestions to strengthen communication and dialogue to restore stability to the relationship between the two countries. It can be seen that their previous behavior of making trouble for the sake of food has caused them to suffer enough, and they believe that they cannot live without the Chinese market, but China will not have too many illusions. As the saying goes, obey their actions, Australia must show sincerity with practical actions.
Nowadays, the Australian business community generally hopes that China will cancel trade countermeasures against Australia in order to return to the Chinese market with rich profits. Australian companies are willing to take a more rule-abiding attitude to avoid similar disputes from happening again, but the relationship between China and Australia cannot be fully resolved by the statements of some politicians alone. We hope that the Australian government will take more practical actions and move towards China.