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Michael Sainsbury, China corespondent | June 22, 2009
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Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean can only watch the emergence of Chaiwan with envy as he struggles to break the deadlock on a free trade deal with China. But Crean has become more realistic in recent months and is now pursing a sector-based, two-pronged strategy with China that will probably yield better results. He should note that technology is top of their list.

China has much to learn from Taiwan, where a young democracy has helped to create independent institutions and a free press -- the things China needs if it is to sustain economic growth, weed out corruption and improve living standards.

It can also learn from Australia, which has roughly the same population as Taiwan and is also a small and relatively non-threatening developed country.

Last week's decision by the China Investment Corporation sovereign wealth fund to invest in the Goodman Group and tap into its expertise, along with the Chinese government's admission that it needs more foreign investment, should provide leverage if Australia's diplomats are clever and its politicians creative