Foreign Minister Wu gives exclusive interview to Canadian newspaper

2022/08/29

Taiwan’s government is fully committed to taking part in the International Civil Aviation Organization to promote global aviation safety, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
 
Wu made the remarks during an interview in Taipei with Fabien Deglise of Le Devoir for an article published Aug. 24 in the Canada-based daily. The piece has attracted great attention in the lead up to the ICAO’s triennial general assembly set to take place Sept. 27 to Oct. 7 in Montreal.
 
Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 1.5 million flights carrying over 72 million travelers passed through the Taipei Flight Information Region every year, making the region an indispensable link in the East Asia aviation network, the minister said.
 
Taiwan’s ICAO participation will ensure the safety of both local and international passengers, Wu said, adding that the country is entitled to its own representation in the ICAO for enhanced aviation security.
 
According to the minister, China has exerted influence on global organizations to alter their rules and agendas and block Taiwan’s participation. Members of the free world need to work in unity to address this challenge and avoid the detrimental consequences stemming from Beijing’s aggressive expansion, he added.
 
Wu said following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, democratic partners have begun to take heed of authoritarian expansion and the threats faced by Taiwan, with many supporting Taiwan’s global participation in defense of rule-based international order.
 
Wu said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called in May for Taiwan’s participation in global bodies and multilateral events. Such support is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the minister said, adding that the country will work hard to achieve participation in the ICAO general assembly.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)