TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Canada should maintain ties with Taiwan and not bow to pressure from China, Canada’s Federal Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Chong said Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview with the National Post, Chong said peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific are vital for trade and investment. He said a conflict in the region would destroy billions of dollars in value overnight and have a greater impact than the war in Ukraine because China’s economy is much larger than Russia’s.
Chong said Canada and other countries must make clear to Beijing that any unilateral action against Taiwan would carry a high cost. He said keeping strong ties with Taiwan is one way to send that message.
Chong said Canada should not make such action easier for Beijing by stopping visits to Taiwan or ending Canadian naval transits through the Taiwan Strait and other international waters. He said giving in to China’s demands would only make the Indo-Pacific less stable.
Chong visited Taiwan from May 18-21 and met President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on May 20. China criticized the visit after it took place.
Chong said his visit was meant to defend Canadian sovereignty. He said Canada should not allow China to keep changing the rules or accept what he called unreasonable demands.
