The federal Conservatives are accusing the Liberals of capitulating to pressure from China following the early departure of some parliamentarians from their visit to Taiwan.
Two Liberal MPs have stated that they are cutting short their visit to Taiwan based on advice received from the government. The delegation to Taiwan, comprising MPs from various parties, coincides with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China.
Prime Minister Carney is scheduled to begin a four-day trip to China this week, aiming to reset relations with the foreign nation. This visit marks the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and will involve a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Michael Chong, the Conservative foreign affairs critic, criticized the Liberals for yielding to Chinese influence. He remarked that the decision weakens Canada’s democracy and its ties with Taiwan.
The early departure of the two Liberal MPs, Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde, alongside three Conservative MPs, Melissa Lantsman, Adam Chambers, and Shelby Kramp-Neuman, was part of a trip sponsored by the Taiwanese government, involving meetings with Taiwanese officials.
In a joint statement, the Liberal MPs mentioned, “Informed by government advice, we are returning home to prevent any confusion with Canada’s foreign policy, especially considering the overlap with the prime minister’s activities in Beijing, which were only confirmed recently.”
The move comes amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Taiwan, with China asserting sovereignty over the democratic island and not ruling out military action if needed.
While the news of the Liberal MPs’ early departure was initially reported by the Globe and Mail, the Conservative MPs intend to complete the scheduled trip as planned, as they were not instructed to return home.
Jaczek and Lalonde’s statement emphasized that Canada’s stance on Taiwan remains unchanged, following the “One China” policy, which acknowledges China’s claim over Taiwan but maintains unofficial relations with the island.
Canadian lawmakers frequently visit Taiwan, often with such trips being sponsored by the Taiwanese government.
