Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told True North that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was “missing in action” when it came to the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) towards Taiwan and the international community at large.
According to Genuis, the Liberal government’s lack of response marked “a long pattern of inaction when it comes to China.”
“The Liberal government has been promising a new framework for relations with China for years,” said Genuis in an emailed statement.
“It is clear that the Liberal government is missing in action when it comes to responding to the domestic and international challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Recently, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said that her country won’t back down or bow to Chinese aggression after a record number of CCP jets buzzed Taiwan’s air defence zone a week prior.
“The more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China,” said Tsai.
“(We will) ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us”.
Tsai’s remarks were immediately denounced by CCP Chairman Xi Jinping who said that China would “safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Critics have been calling on the Trudeau government to take a stronger approach to the Chinese regime now that Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig have been set free following a last-minute deal struck by the US Justice Department and Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in September.
“Our allies, including the United States under President Biden, have taken steps to demonstrate their commitment to defending the Indo-Pacific region. Canada must stand clearly with our democratic allies to deter the Chinese Communist Party’s escalating aggression against Taiwan,” Genius told True North.
“This means strengthening our ties with democratic partners in the region, reasserting our role in our security partnerships, and actively participating in new security initiatives.”
Genuis is not the only Conservative MP who has recently called for more action on China. Both MPs Michael Chong and Melissa Lantsman made similar statements on social media last week.
