Canada should support the peaceful resolution of Taiwan’s destiny according to the will of Taiwanese, Canadian lawmakers said in a resolution marking the second anniversary of that nation’s Indo-Pacific strategy on Monday.
The Canadian House of Commons committee on Canada-Chinese relations made the comment as part of 34 recommendations for the new edition of the strategy, adding that Ottawa should back Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, first published in October 2022, emphasized that the region’s security, trade, human rights, democracy and environmental protection would play a crucial role in shaping Canada’s future.
Photo: Reuters
The strategy called for Canada to deepen its ties with Taiwan and other regional partners sharing democratic values, and oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Ottawa should improve Taiwan’s resilience, trade ties and cooperation between the two nations’ peoples by strengthening bilateral collaboration in economics, technology, supply chains, public health, democratic governance and countering disinformation, it said.
The Canadian House of Commons Special Committee on the Canada-People’s Republic of China Relationship — whose members include lawmakers from across the political divide — was created in December 2019 to review all aspects governing the two nations’ relations.
Photo: Bloomberg
Ottawa’s China policy represents substantial differences from Beijing’s “one China principle,” the special committee said in a report entitled “Canada and Taiwan: A Strong Relationship in Turbulent Times.”
The Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategy should govern the nation’s relationship with Taiwan, it added.
Representative to Canada Harry Tseng (曾厚仁) hailed the report as the most important development in bilateral relations since Ottawa switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
The special committee’s report last year already included a series of recommendations to improve collaboration on issues concerning diplomacy, security, trade, technology and affairs affecting indigenous people.
The previous report underscored the instability in the cross-strait security situation and the importance of enhancing Taiwan-Canada relations to counter China’s growing threat toward Taiwan.
Meanwhile, a statement issued after a meeting between the British foreign secretary and defence secretary and the Australian foreign minister and defence minister on Monday reiterated support for Taiwan’s international participation and opposition to unilateral change in the Taiwan Strait.
“Ministers underscored the critical importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They emphasised that differences should be resolved peacefully and not through the threat or use of force or coercion; and reaffirmed their shared opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo,” it said. “They recognised that the international community benefits from the expertise of the people of Taiwan and committed to working together to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite or as an observer or guest where it is.”
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “applauds and welcomes” the UK’s and Australia’s support for Taiwan, adding that they share Taiwan’s belief in the universal values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and that they are a force for peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community and would continue to cooperate closely with like-minded nations to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, participate in international organizations, defend the rules-based international order and contribute to peace and stability in the region, it said.
Additional reporting by Huang Ching-hsuan
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE: Without its Taiwanese partners which are ‘working around the clock,’ Nvidia could not meet AI demand, CEO Jensen Huang said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) and US-based artificial intelligence (AI) chip designer Nvidia Corp have partnered with each other on silicon photonics development, Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) said. Speaking with reporters after he met with TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) in Taipei on Friday, Huang said his company was working with the world’s largest contract chipmaker on silicon photonics, but admitted it was unlikely for the cooperation to yield results any time soon, and both sides would need several years to achieve concrete outcomes. To have a stake in the silicon photonics supply chain, TSMC and
SILICON VALLEY HUB: The office would showcase Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and help Taiwanese start-ups connect with global opportunities Taiwan has established an office in Palo Alto, one of the principal cities of Silicon Valley in California, aimed at helping Taiwanese technology start-ups gain global visibility, the National Development Council said yesterday. The “Startup Island Taiwan Silicon Valley hub” at No. 299 California Avenue is focused on “supporting start-ups and innovators by providing professional consulting, co-working spaces, and community platforms,” the council said in a post on its Web site. The office is the second overseas start-up hub established by the council, after a similar site was set up in Tokyo in September last year. Representatives from Taiwanese start-ups, local businesses and
‘DETERRENT’: US national security adviser-designate Mike Waltz said that he wants to speed up deliveries of weapons purchased by Taiwan to deter threats from China US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, affirmed his commitment to peace in the Taiwan Strait during his confirmation hearing in Washington on Tuesday. Hegseth called China “the most comprehensive and serious challenge to US national security” and said that he would aim to limit Beijing’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region, Voice of America reported. He would also adhere to long-standing policies to prevent miscalculations, Hegseth added. The US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing was the first for a nominee of Trump’s incoming Cabinet, and questions mostly focused on whether he was fit for the
SHARED VALUES: The US, Taiwan and other allies hope to maintain the cross-strait ‘status quo’ to foster regional prosperity and growth, the former US vice president said Former US vice president Mike Pence yesterday vowed to continue to support US-Taiwan relations, and to defend the security and interests of both countries and the free world. At a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Pence said that the US and Taiwan enjoy strong and continued friendship based on the shared values of freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Such foundations exceed limitations imposed by geography and culture, said Pence, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time. The US and Taiwan have shared interests, and Americans are increasingly concerned about China’s
RSS