TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan envoy to Australia Douglas Hsu (徐佑典) has called on Australia to support the nation’s bid for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

As Australia is this year's rotating CPTPP chair, Hsu urged Trade Minister Don Farrell and 30 Australian lawmakers to back Taiwan’s inclusion, CNA reported.

Hsu said that Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP would bring significant economic benefits, foster regional economic integration, and align with Australia's national interests. He hoped for continued cooperation with Australian lawmakers to strengthen the bilateral partnership and protect interests in the Indo-Pacific.

During a CPTPP summit meeting in November, Taiwan’s membership application was delayed for at least another year. China’s application, submitted about a week before Taiwan’s in 2021, was also postponed.

The CPTPP's 12 members include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the UK, and Vietnam.