One of the highest-ranking politicians in Taiwan is urging the Canadian government to announce support for the island nation in case of an attack by communist China.
Democratic Progressive Party chief secretary Lo Chih-Cheng wants a public declaration of support from the Canadian government as a way to deter Chinese aggression.
According to the Globe and Mail, Lo said the statement doesn’t have to be specific but it could go a long way in showing solidarity with Taiwan.
“When we talk about assistance provided by democracies to a democracy under attack, there could be all kinds of help. So don’t restrict yourselves to military co-operation,” said Lo.
“But you could say, ‘We could not allow a democracy to come under attack,’ and democracies should work together and we are hoping we can maintain the peace and stability of the region,” he explained.
“I am for strategic clarity but tactical ambiguity.”
Lo made the statements as he prepares to meet with Canadian MPs in Taiwan this Sunday. A small delegation of 5 MPs will be travelling to the island following a series of aggressive maneuvers by China earlier this year.
China considers the island of Taiwan to be its own territory and has urged the international community to not interfere in its relations with its neighbour.
“(Taiwan) stands in the way of China becoming a true maritime power,” said Lo. “The status quo is not static. China is changing it every day.”
On Wendesday the country’s Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng announced that any aircraft flown into Taiwanese airspace will be considered a “first strike”.”
“If you send your military aircraft and fly into our airspace, even if you don’t shoot, we will consider it a first strike,” said Lo.
Earlier this month, Taiwanese foreign affairs minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu also called on Canada to increase its military and economic ties.
“We hope the Canadian government can continue to do that, to show it is taking actions to make sure the emphasis on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is backed up by action,” said Wu.
