A possible fall visit to Taiwan by Canadian MPs and senators will follow US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in early August. Pelosi’s visit – which she described as a mission to show Washington’s support for Taiwan and democracies worldwide – angered the Chinese government, which considers the self-ruled island part of its territory. Beijing responded by encircling the island and conducting live-fire military exercises near territorial waters claimed by Taiwan and Japan. Sgro said eight committee members — all of whom are also members of Parliament’s Canada-Taiwan Friendship Caucus — plan to go on the trip. “The trade committee is very much looking forward to going and visiting Taiwan and seeing what opportunities there are for deeper trade relations between our two countries,” he said. While she acknowledged the “significant strain” on international relations that came with Pelosi’s trip, Sgro said “we will certainly use diplomacy as we go forward” in what she called a “necessary” trip. “Democracy is dear and an important part of what we all live every day. We must protect other countries that have fought for their freedom and for their democracy,” he said. “So, yeah, you know, I’m trying to be diplomatic in my comments, but clearly I’m proud that Canada is standing up to China as well. And I think pushback is very important.” Sgro said planning for the trip began last spring. Whether the trip takes place, he added, will depend in part on the future of Taiwan’s COVID-19 protocols. Visiting US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi greets reporters upon her arrival at Parliament House in Taipei on August 3, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images) Liberal MP John McKay, who has visited Taiwan several times under the banner of the friendship group, said China’s dramatic reaction to Pelosi’s visit should not “in the least” discourage Canada from following in her footsteps. “My view is that China is trying to bully Taiwan and indirectly bully the rest of us with a false assumption that Taiwan is part of China,” McKay said. “This is nonsense. The Taiwanese have repeatedly expressed their desire to be an independent country and have behaved in an exemplary manner. “Canada must do everything it can to encourage Taiwan to express its democratic values. This parliamentary trip will encourage that.” Previous iterations of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group have visited the island before, as recently as 2014. Individual MPs have also made trips to meet with Taiwanese politicians over the years, drawing Beijing’s ire. But a fall visit by the friendship group would come at a time of heightened tensions between the governments of Canada and China. Defense Secretary Anita Anand said China’s decision to hold military exercises after Pelosi’s visit was an “unnecessary escalation.” “There is no justification for using a visit as a pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Straits,” Anand said. China’s vice foreign minister urged Canada to “immediately correct its mistakes” after the G7 condemned Chinese actions.
Friendship groups represent only informal relationships
The Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group is one of dozens of so-called “friendship groups” in Parliament. There were 89 members of the group in 2021, according to a statement released by the Taiwanese government. The informal nature of friendship groups allows MPs and senators to maintain relationships with various governments and communities outside the scope of official government activities. In accordance with the One China policy adopted by the vast majority of the international community, Canada has only informal diplomatic relations with the government of Taiwan. Other active friendship groups include the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Canada-Uyghur Parliamentary Friendship Group. Friendship groups do not receive administrative or financial support from the Parliament of Canada. A delegation of German parliamentarians is also scheduled to visit Taiwan in the first week of October.
