Source: Republic of China Taiwan
To recognise the longstanding support for Taiwan and outstanding contributions to advancing Australia–Taiwan relations, Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu, on behalf of Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lin Chia-lung, presented the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy to Hon. Anthony Roberts MP, Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Taiwan, and Co-Chair Dr. Hugh McDermott MP at the New South Wales Parliament.
DG Wu noted that the award recognises the two parliamentary leaders’ longstanding efforts to strengthen Australia–Taiwan relations and reflects Taiwan’s high regard for its partnership with New South Wales.
In their remarks, both recipients highlighted Taiwan’s critical role in the global semiconductor supply chain and the development of artificial intelligence. They emphasised that like-minded Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, Taiwan and the United States, share a commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, which are fundamental to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Established on 23 May 2013, the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Taiwan has become one of the strongest voices supporting Taiwan in the NSW Parliament. Chaired by Hon. Anthony Roberts MP since its founding, with Dr. Hugh McDermott MP serving as Co-Chair, the group enjoys broad bipartisan support from members across the Parliament.
In 2024, the NSW Parliament became the first state parliament in the world to pass a motion opposing the PRC’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. In 2025, it further demonstrated its bipartisan support by passing a motion supporting Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organization meetings, reaffirming the shared values and strong partnership between New South Wales and Taiwan.