The federal Conservatives have accused the Liberals of yielding to pressure from Beijing after certain parliamentarians on a Taiwan trip decided to cut their visit short. Two Liberal MPs stated that they are departing Taiwan based on guidance from the government. The parliamentary delegation to Taiwan, comprising MPs from various parties, coincides with the prime minister’s visit to China.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing for a four-day trip to China this week, aimed at resetting relations with the foreign nation. This visit marks the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and will include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong criticized the Liberals for bowing to Chinese influence. Chong expressed concerns that the early departure of two Liberal MPs from Taiwan due to government pressure signifies submission to Beijing’s authoritarianism, weakening democracy and Canada’s relationship with Taiwan.
Liberal MPs Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde, along with three Conservative MPs – Melissa Lantsman, Adam Chambers, and Shelby Kramp-Neuman, participated in the Taiwan trip, sponsored by the Taiwanese government and involving meetings with Taiwanese officials.
In a joint statement, the two Liberal MPs explained that they are returning home based on government advice to prevent confusion with Canada’s foreign policy, especially considering the overlap with the prime minister’s visit to Beijing, which was confirmed recently.
The decision to depart early comes amidst heightened tensions between Beijing and Taiwan, with China claiming sovereignty over Taiwan, a democratically governed territory, and not ruling out military action. The news of the Liberal MPs’ early departure was initially reported by the Globe and Mail.
While the Conservative MPs intend to complete the scheduled trip, Chong clarified that they were not instructed to return home. The statement from Jaczek and Lalonde emphasized that Canada’s position on Taiwan remains unchanged, adhering to the “One China” policy that recognizes China’s claim over Taiwan but maintains unofficial relations with the island.
Canadian parliamentarians regularly visit Taiwan, often with travel sponsored by the foreign government.