Taiwan and Australia formally ratified a scientific and technological cooperation agreement, as announced by the National Science and Technology Council.
According to the council, the Science and Technology Arrangement was signed in Canberra by Taiwan’s Representative Douglas Hsu and Australian Representative Robert Fergusson after six months of deliberations and preparations.
The initiative was proposed by Council Minister Wu Tsung-tsong during his visit to senior officials at the Australian Department of Industry, Science, and Resources (DISR) in October of the previous year, the council noted.
Witnessing the signing were officials from the DISR and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, while representatives from the council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Australian Office in Taipei joined the event remotely.
According to the council, the agreement encompasses 22 collaborative research programs and talent exchange initiatives, with a primary focus on four key areas: manufacturing information and communications technology, semiconductor and critical technology supply chain resilience, biotechnology, and the transition to a net-zero economy.
Hsu remarked that this agreement advances from the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Taipei and Canberra in 2012, highlighting the significance both parties attribute to bilateral scientific research cooperation.
He further emphasized that the agreement aims to expand collaboration between the two nations, with the goal of making substantial contributions to the international community.
Expressing his hopes, DISR General Manager Richard Samuels stated his desire for the agreement to strengthen the ties between Taiwan and Australia through tangible actions, as conveyed by the council.
This agreement makes Australia the fifth country, following the United States, Germany, France, and Canada, to establish such a formal scientific and technological cooperation agreement with Taiwan, according to the council.