February 20, 2025
No. 043
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome banquet on February 17 for a delegation from the Parliament of Canada led by Senator Michael MacDonald, Chairman of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The two sides exchanged opinions on deepening economic and trade exchanges and strengthening talent development.
In his remarks, Minister Lin first expressed thanks for Canada’s staunch support of cross-strait peace and stability in recent years, including the February 16 transit of the Taiwan Strait by the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa. This was yet another concrete demonstration that the Taiwan Strait constitutes international waters. Since releasing its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, Canada has continued to bolster cooperation with Taiwan on economics and trade as well as science and technology. The two sides have signed the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement as well as the Science, Technology, and Innovation Arrangement.
In the context of Taiwan promoting a policy of integrated diplomacy, Minister Lin expressed hope that Canada would continue to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, strengthen regional economic cooperation, and jointly build resilient non-red supply chains. With Canada holding the rotating presidency of the G7 this year, Minister Lin said he expected it to play a pivotal role in upholding the international order and leading like-minded nations in a continued coordinated effort to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his response, Senator MacDonald praised Taiwan’s achievements in high tech, education, public health, and democratic development. He expressed support for Taiwan’s appropriate participation in international organizations and said that he hoped national security would no longer be an issue of concern for Taiwan in the near future.
In addition to Senator MacDonald, the delegation included Sens. Donald Neil Plett and John M. McNair. The group will attend the HFX Taipei Forum and call on government agencies and private organizations including the Legislative Yuan, Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations, Tainan City government, and Doublethink Lab.