Australia’s trade minister Dan Tehan speaking earlier this year. Tehan sees energy technology as the next area of the relationship with Taiwan to be strengthened. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
· The Australian government says it wants to help Taiwan decarbonize its economy, flagging this as the next area of cooperation with the democratically ruled island, amid ongoing tensions with China. The trade minister, Dan Tehan, said he saw “real opportunities” to deepen energy ties with Taiwan while arguing there was bipartisan recognition in Australia of “the greater assertiveness that we’re seeing from China”. Taiwan has outlined plans to generate 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, up from 5% in 2020, including a significant focus on offshore wind power. The Australian government – which has been resisting calls to strengthen its 2030 emissions reduction target and is yet to reach a deal for a mid-century net-zero target – has instead declared a focus on “technology”. It has already signed deals with partners including Germany and Japan to cooperate on low-emission technology and hydrogen. Local media in Taiwan said the Australian office in Taipei had recently hosted a hydrogen trade and investment event. In an implicit message against politicizing national security and foreign affairs before Australia’s looming federal election, Tehan said: “The more that we can make sure that we’re united politically in how we tackle these current strategic issues, I think the better it is for us as a nation.”
