On Wednesday, local media reported that a large Canadian delegation would visit the Chinese-claimed island of Taiwan in October, a move that could further deteriorate relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
Eight members of Canada’s House of Commons standing committee on international trade are expected to travel to Taiwan, including many who are members of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group in the parliament, Canadian media reported.
Judy Sgro, a leader in the ruling Liberal Party of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, preside over the House standing committee. According to a CBC News report, Sgro stated that the committee “is very eager to go and to visit Taiwan and see what opportunities there are for deeper trade relations between our two countries.”
Requests for comment from the Chinese embassy in Ottawa were not entertained.
An email requesting comment from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada received no response right away.
“It is not the intention to disturb the peace and bring about difficulties for China or Taiwan. Trade, friendship, and opportunities for Canada in the entire Asia-Pacific region are all involved “Sgro, the trade panel’s leader, said to Reuters.
Sgro claimed that in the past, bi-annual visits by Canadian lawmakers to Taiwan had been discontinued because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sgro said: “This is a part of an ongoing effort for us to make sure that the doors are open for Canadian companies wherever there is trade opportunity.”
