Canadian parliamentarians visit Taiwan, vocal in support of state participation in international organizations amid Beijing threat

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A group of Canadian parliamentarians visiting Taiwan have expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations that Beijing has long opposed island membership.

Liberal MP Judy Suguro and several members of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group arrived in Taiwan ahead of the independent democracy decision. 111th National Day Other members of parliament during the visit include Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, Bloc-Quebec MP Simon-Pierre-Savart-Tremblay, and Conservative MPs Richard Martel and Chris Lewis.

“Myself and other members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Taiwan were honored to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and recognize the relationship between Taiwan and Canada and its importance to the international community,” Suguro said. I wrote on social media on October 11th. Meeting with the president of Taiwan the day before the group.

During the meeting, Tsai said that earlier this year Canada and Taiwan Started exploratory discussion On a possible Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement (FIPA), she said it would “build a more open, transparent and friendly investment climate and strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries.” Stated.

Tsai also said that Taiwan formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last year and sought Canada’s support for membership.

“In my opinion, Taiwan has a very strong track record of compliance with the CPTPP, which we, as a parliamentary group, would like to see, and most Canadian parliamentarians hope that accession to the CPTPP will happen sooner or later. I think they hope so.” Sgro responded by adding that “things are going very well” on the FIPA debate.

Sgro also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) during the friendship group meeting. Meeting with Yoo SiChairman of the Taiwan Congress, October 12.

“Our prime minister and our government are ICAO and [WHO] We passed a lot of motions and spoke in Congress on that very issue,” she told delegations.

“If there is an opportunity for Taiwan to make inroads into these two organizations, I think now is the time.”

“Symbol of Freedom and Democracy”

Suguro announced plans to visit Taiwan with members of the Congressional Friendship Group in August, after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a stop in Taiwan during her tour of Asia in early August.

Pelosi’s visit has sparked outrage from Beijing’s communist regime, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, and poses increasingly aggressive threats to the island nation, while also isolating Taiwan from the international community. measures are being taken.

Prior to Pelosi’s visit, China temporarily banned food imports from more than 100 Taiwanese companies, and held several military exercises near Taiwan before and after Pelosi’s visit, prompting dozens of international flights. was canceled.

In a white paper released on August 10, the Chinese Communist Party withdrew its promise to “not send Taiwan-based military or administrative personnel” even if it took control of Taiwan. The newspaper also reiterated the administration’s stance of “not renouncing the use of force” to invade Taiwan.

“One of the reasons we visited at this particular time is because when our friends are going through hardships, whether they are family members or members of parliament, we always want to be there for them,” he said. Sgro said at the Taiwan Congress in October. 12.

“Taiwan is very important to the world. You are a symbol of freedom and democracy. I hope so,” she added.

“Together with Taiwan and Canada, we will continue that work as we move forward.”

Andrew Chen

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Andrew Chen is a reporter for the Epoch Times based in Toronto.



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