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.
A Canadian national flag flies in front of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 22, 2017.
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.
David Lammy, UK’s foreign secretary, from left, Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign affairs minister, John Healey, UK’s defence secretary, and Richard Marles, Australia defense minister, during a news conference following a meeting in London, UK, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
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
Source: Taipei Times - 2024/12/18
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