YOU Si-kun: Canada plays an important role in democratic alliance. We are grateful for Canadian cross-party parliamentarians for their support to Taiwan.
Accompanied by Legislators Wang Ting-yu, Wu I-ding, Chiu Chen-yuan, and Chen Jiau-hua, Secrertary General Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang, President You Si-kun met Canadian parliamentary delegation and Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT) Representative Jim Nickel on the morning of July 5.
In his remarks, President YOU first of all extended a warm welcome to the delegation. Although the pandemic disrupted bilateral exchanges for while, there had been three Canadian parliamentary delegations visiting Taiwan. Canada is relatively large in size with abundant natural resources and beautiful sceneries. President You shared that he visited Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal and other cities. He deeply felt that Canada is an advanced country upholding the values of democracy, freedom and human rights. Meanwhile, Canada spares no efforts in protecting global universal values of democracy and freedom. He recalled that Canada sent warships to navigate through the Taiwan Strait three times to demonstrate its determination to maintain peace across Taiwan Strait as a member of G 7 and Five Eyes (FVEY) to safeguard regional peace and stability. Canada plays an important role in global democratic and freedom partnerships.
President YOU continued to state that he knew Canada from his childhood, because 151 years ago, Dr. George Leslie Mackay practiced medicine in Yilan as a missionary. Many Yilan people changed their last name to Kai in memory of him. What he admires most is that when Dr. Mackay arrived in Taiwan, he did not promote language assimilation unlike some rulers. Instead, he learned Taiwan’s dialects to communicate with the people of Taiwan.
President YOU stated that on behalf of the Legislative Yuan, he wanted to thank Canadian parliament including Vice Chair Melissa Lantsman and MP Michael Barrett for passing motions in favor of Taiwan to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization and World Health Assembly, MP Michael Cooper for introducing bills in the parliament to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, MP Garnett Genuis for voicing to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and condemning China’s verbal attack and military intimidation against Taiwan, MP Kyle Seeback for assisting in passing Canada-Taiwan Relations report that was extremely friendly to Taiwan on March 31 this year. In addition to appreciation, he also hoped that Canadian parliamentarians will continue to support Taiwan to participate in Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP）and sign Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) as soon as possible.
MP Melissa Lantsman stated that the members of the delegation from different ridings of Canada. Both Taiwan and Canada share universal values of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Every delegation member supports Taiwan and take concrete actions in the international community to support Taiwan to join international organizations. She hoped that this visit will promote the signature of FIPA as soon as possible.
Both sides exchanged views on issue related to environmental protection, net-zero emissions, bilateral relations, investment and trade relations and security in the Taiwan Strait. The meeting concluded at 10:30 a.m. after exchange of gifts and group photos. (E)
