Taiwan may be a small island nation, for instance, Ontario is 30 times larger than Taiwan in terms of land area, but Taiwan plays a crucial role in the global landscape. Taiwan has established itself as a highly developed economy with vibrant multiparty democracy. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, Taiwan has been recognized as Asia’s most democratic country.
Imagine a country so crucial that nearly 50 percent of global container shipping passes through the Strait of Taiwan daily, transporting goods including advanced chips vital for sectors such as automotive, electronics, and artificial intelligence. Taiwan, also with its advanced policing capabilities and commitment to combatting disinformation, is well-equipped to contribute critical intelligence to global law enforcement efforts.
However, Taiwan’s exclusion from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) presents a significant gap in our global security framework. This exclusion undermines international efforts to address pressing issues such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and cross-border fraud.
By welcoming Taiwan into INTERPOL, Canada and other nations could leverage Taiwan’s expertise in foreign interference, anti-disinformation, human trafficking, telecom fraud, and cybercrime. Taiwan’s law enforcement agencies have demonstrated their capability in dismantling fraud syndicates and tracking money laundering operations effectively. For instance, this year Taiwan’s successful cooperation with the U.S. led to the dismantling of telecom fraud networks operating across Taiwan, the U.S. and Cambodia targeting Taiwanese and Chinese in the U.S. and Canada, intercepting over 1.26 million fraudulent calls daily.
This collaboration highlights Taiwan’s technical expertise and its commitment to global security. As cybercrime and transnational fraud continue to rise, integrating Taiwan’s law enforcement agencies into international crime-fighting mechanisms is essential for the global community.
In light of this, Canada and other like-minded countries are urged to advocate for Taiwan on the international stage and support its bid for observer status at the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow, United Kingdom. By taking this action, you can enable Taiwan to participate in INTERPOL meetings, access the I-24/7 global police communications system, and benefit from INTERPOL training programs.
Currently, the status quo benefits China by blocking Taiwan’s recognition and inclusion, while also facilitating criminal activity. This situation is detrimental not only to Taiwanese law enforcement but, more importantly, to global security. It is crucial for countries worldwide to unite in order to protect their citizens.
Jin-Ling Chen is the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto.
