The Chinese embassy in Canada has expressed its dismay regarding Canada’s acknowledgement and congratulations to Taiwan, following the country’s recent elections.
“Canada congratulates the people of #Taiwan on the conclusion of their recent elections. Guided by the pillars of #democracy, #humanrights & #peace, Canada looks forward to advance its people-to-people, science, trade & investment ties,” wrote Canada’s Foreign Policy account on X. Its initiatives are led by Global Affairs Canada.
The Chinese embassy said it was “strongly dissatisfied” and “firmly opposed” to Canada’s foreign ministry for congratulating Taiwan on its presidential election.
Additionally, the embassy urged Canada to “recognise the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue… and immediately stop its ’wrong’ words.”
China’s position on Taiwan has been blunt and unwavering, perceiving the island to be a breakaway province from the mainland country and not an independent nation.
Therefore, the embassy views any recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty to be a diplomatic disapproval of Beijing’s authority.
China previously criticized the US Secretary of State as well as other countries who congratulated the Taiwan election, leading them to make a formal diplomatic complaint.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US President Joe Biden during their recent summit in San Francisco and bluntly told Biden that Beijing intends to reunify Taiwan with mainland China, according to U.S. officials.
Officials noted that Jinping told Biden that it was China’s preference to take Taiwan peacefully, not by force.
Canada recognizes the one China policy and does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent nation despite sharing economic and cultural ties with the island nation.
According to the Government of Canada, “Canada’s relationship with the PRC and Taiwan is governed by its one China policy. Established in 1970, the policy recognizes the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China.”
Canada does not endorse nor challenge China’s position on Taiwan.
