Abbott urges deeper ties with Taiwan on eve of poll

News Snapshot:

Under the bipartisan One China policy, Australia “acknowledges” Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China. Australia does not recognise Taiwan as an independent country and maintains unofficial ties with Taipei. For instance, Taiwan is forced to call its de facto embassy in Australia the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Office”, while the “Australian Office” represents Australian interests in Taiwan. Political contact is highly curtailed. Meetings between bureaucrats have unofficial status and ministerial contact is limited. Trade Minister Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King have met their Taiwanese counterparts,...