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Holly Chik

Beijing has urged Ottawa to abide by its “one China” commitment and safeguard bilateral relations, days ahead of an expected visit to Canada by former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen.
“China strongly opposes any visits by Taiwan separatists to countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China under any title,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Thursday.
“We urge relevant countries to uphold the one-China principle and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations through concrete actions,” he said in response to a question from Reuters, which cited sources in its reporting on the visit.
Tsai, who completed her second and final term as leader of Taiwan in May, will deliver a speech at the Halifax International Security Forum starting on November 22 in Nova Scotia, eastern Canada, according to Reuters.


The website for this year’s conference shows that the event is “by invitation only”, but information on the agenda and speakers is not yet available.
Tsai visited the Czech Republic, France and Belgium last month, in her first overseas trip since stepping down. She spoke at a democracy conference in the Czech capital Prague, met European politicians and Taiwanese expatriates, and visited the European Parliament in Brussels.
The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) in Beijing, which oversees cross-strait ties, said at the time that authorities in Taiwan were carrying out “Taiwan independence” separatist activities under various pretexts and deceiving the international community, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“We urge relevant countries to strictly abide by the one-China principle, handle the Taiwan issue prudently, not send wrong signals to the separatist forces and not provide any platform for them to spread their fallacies,” TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said on October 9, days ahead of Tsai’s three-nation trip.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary and regards Tsai and her successor William Lai Ching-te, both of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as separatists who promote independence for the island.
Most countries, including the United States and Canada, do not recognise self-governed Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington opposes any attempt to bring the island under Beijing’s control by force and is legally committed to arming it for defence.
Relations between Canada and China have been strained in recent years. This is partly due to the tit-for-tat arrests in 2018, when a top Huawei Technologies executive was held in Vancouver on fraud charges at the request of the US, and two Canadian residents were detained in China on charges of espionage.


The bilateral relationship is also marked by tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, aluminium and steel, accusations of Chinese meddling in Canadian elections and an attempted intimidation of lawmakers that resulted in the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat last year. China has repeatedly denied claims of interference.
Canada is China’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.
While meeting his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in Beijing in July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Canada to “seriously reflect” on their strained relationship.
Wang called for an improvement as he cited “no fundamental conflict of interest” between the two countries, while holding up Canada ties as being “at the forefront” of China’s relations with Western economies.


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Beijing reminds Canada of ‘one China’ commitment ahead of visit by Tsai

Tsai Ing-wen addresses a conference in Prague, Czech Republic, on October 14, as part of her first overseas trip since stepping down as leader of Taiwan in May. Photo: Reuters

Tsai Ing-wen and her successor William Lai wave to supporters as the new administration takes office, in Taipei on May 20. Photo: Reuters

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An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8 approaches for landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Photo: Reuters

Travelers wait in line at a Hainan Airlines check-in counter at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: AP

China plans live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait after US and Canadian warships transit

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins during operations with the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver during routine operations in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday. Photo: US Navy via AP

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen to strengthen Europe ties in first overseas trip since stepping down

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te and former leader Tsai Ing-wen discussed her coming trip at the presidential residence on Sunday. Photo: CNA

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te says Tsai Ing-wen is the island’s “best representative” on the global stage. Photo: CNA

Taiwan inauguration: the big difference between William Lai and Tsai Ing-wen on day 1

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen and new President William Lai Ching-te wave during the inauguration ceremony outside the presidential office building in Taipei on Monday, May 20. Photo: Reuters

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China

Diplomacy

Former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen reportedly expected to address a security forum in Canada, after three-nation European trip last month


Former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen reportedly expected to address a security forum in Canada, after three-nation European trip last month.


Taiwan

Tsai Ing-wen

Beijing reminds Canada of ‘one China’ commitment ahead of visit by Tsai

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen reportedly expected to address a security forum in Canada, after three-nation European trip last month

Former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen reportedly expected to address a security forum in Canada, after three-nation European trip last month