TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A delegation from the Australian Institute of International Affairs-Victoria (AIIA-Victoria) arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday (April 17) to discuss trade opportunities.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press release, the 15-member delegation is being led by Australia-Taiwan Business Council Vice President Rowan Callick. In recent years, bilateral relations between the two countries have continued to develop, with frequent economic and people-to-people exchanges, MOFA said.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) said Australia is an important partner for Taiwan, as both countries share similar values of democracy, freedom, and universal human rights, per CNA. The deputy minister said he hopes for Australia’s support regarding Taiwan's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to jointly promote regional prosperity and development.

Tien said that Australia is an active member of the Indo-Pacific region and thanked Australia for speaking up for Taiwan at various international forums in recent years. He called for both sides to work together to uphold the rule-based international order and defend universal values.

Callick said Taiwan and Australia have frequently interacted in various fields such as economy, investment, culture, and education. This visit will help promote understanding and cooperation between the two sides, he added.

Founded in 1933, the AIIA is a think tank whose mission is to inform the Australian public about international affairs.