President Lai Ching-te said May 20 that Taiwan will continue to foster institutionalization of bilateral cooperation with Canada and work with democracies to resist authoritarian expansion and create a more democratic and prosperous future.
Lai made the remarks while meeting with Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada shadow minister for foreign affairs, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. He praised Chong for insisting on safeguarding democracy and respect for human rights without regard to pressure from authoritarian regimes and thanked him for staunchly supporting Taiwan.
The president expressed appreciation to the Canadian Parliament for passing a motion in 2024 to back Taiwan’s international participation and oppose China’s misinterpretation of the U.N. Resolution 2758. He added that cross-party lawmakers further issued a statement in the Parliament and last year accompanied a Taiwan delegation that hosted an international press conference to emphasize that Taiwan participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would greatly contribute to global aviation safety.
According to Lai, Taiwan and Canada signed numerous agreements and memorandums of understanding over the past three years to expand collaboration in health, investment, technological innovation, and to jointly combat illegal maritime activities. The two countries’ industries are complementary, he said, adding that he looks forward to combining Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing and Canada’s artificial intelligence innovative technologies to create more mutually beneficial business opportunities. The president concluded by calling on Canada to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
In response, Chong congratulated Lai on the second anniversary of his taking office and said the current visit demonstrates Canada’s unified support for Taiwan while also showing that Canadian parliamentarians’ international visits and relations are not impeded by foreign governments. He added that cross-strait issues must be conducted through dialogue on a voluntary basis without coercion and urged the international community to enable Taiwan to engage in global events like the World Health Assembly and the ICAO.
International organizations should not be weaponized by Beijing, Chong said, noting that all countries must remain vigilant to ensure that these bodies are not used to discriminate against free societies and democracies. He added that Taiwan and Canada should continue to hold dialogue and undertake mutual visits while deepening and bilateral partnerships to defend peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. (YCH-E)
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Lai made the remarks while meeting with Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada shadow minister for foreign affairs, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. He praised Chong for insisting on safeguarding democracy and respect for human rights without regard to pressure from authoritarian regimes and thanked him for staunchly supporting Taiwan.
The president expressed appreciation to the Canadian Parliament for passing a motion in 2024 to back Taiwan’s international participation and oppose China’s misinterpretation of the U.N. Resolution 2758. He added that cross-party lawmakers further issued a statement in the Parliament and last year accompanied a Taiwan delegation that hosted an international press conference to emphasize that Taiwan participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would greatly contribute to global aviation safety.
According to Lai, Taiwan and Canada signed numerous agreements and memorandums of understanding over the past three years to expand collaboration in health, investment, technological innovation, and to jointly combat illegal maritime activities. The two countries’ industries are complementary, he said, adding that he looks forward to combining Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing and Canada’s artificial intelligence innovative technologies to create more mutually beneficial business opportunities. The president concluded by calling on Canada to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
In response, Chong congratulated Lai on the second anniversary of his taking office and said the current visit demonstrates Canada’s unified support for Taiwan while also showing that Canadian parliamentarians’ international visits and relations are not impeded by foreign governments. He added that cross-strait issues must be conducted through dialogue on a voluntary basis without coercion and urged the international community to enable Taiwan to engage in global events like the World Health Assembly and the ICAO.
International organizations should not be weaponized by Beijing, Chong said, noting that all countries must remain vigilant to ensure that these bodies are not used to discriminate against free societies and democracies. He added that Taiwan and Canada should continue to hold dialogue and undertake mutual visits while deepening and bilateral partnerships to defend peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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