November 28, 2022
No. 354
The government of Canada announced its Indo-Pacific Strategy on November 27. The document stresses that the future of the region is of utmost importance to Canada, including with regard to national security, economic prosperity, respect for international law and human rights, democratic values, public health, and environmental protection. According to the strategy, Canada will invest resources in deepening engagement with free and democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and will oppose unilateral actions that threaten the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) affirms and sincerely welcomes the new policy directions pronounced in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, especially the importance placed on enhancing cooperation with Taiwan and maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Strategy explicitly states that “China is an increasingly disruptive global power.” It also emphasizes that Canada will balance its approach to China with diversified investments in regional relationships, including working with Indo-Pacific partners to push back against any unilateral actions that threaten the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. The document refers to Taiwan multiple times, pointing out that Canada will continue its multifaceted engagement with Taiwan, including deepening cooperation in trade, technology, supply chains, health, democratic governance, and countering disinformation. Furthermore, it states that Canada will continue to foster economic and people-to-people ties with Taiwan while supporting Taiwan’s resilience.
Taiwan and Canada are like-minded partners, share the values of freedom and democracy, and work jointly to safeguard the rules-based international order. In recent years, they have collaborated on various international issues through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework. Taiwan will continue to strengthen global partnerships with Canada and other like-minded nations to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
Related Links:
Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians(news release)
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy(full text)