President Tsai receives Canadian delegation, vows to strengthen bilateral ties

2022/10/13

President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 11 that Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation and exchanges with Canada to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Taiwan and Canada are key global trading partners, Tsai said, adding that two-way trade in 2021 saw a greater increase than any year since 1995.
 
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a Canadian parliamentary delegation at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Led by Judy Sgro, chair of the Taiwan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group and chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, the group comprises Angelo Iacono, Chris Lewis, Richard Martel and Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay.
 
According to Tsai, the two sides launched exploratory talks on a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement earlier this year. The inking of such a pact is expected to create a more open, transparent and friendly investment environment while strengthening bilateral economic and trade links, she said.
 
Tsai additionally expressed hope that Canada can support Taiwan’s application for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
 
The president took the opportunity to thank the North American country for recognizing Taiwan’s importance via remarks made by Canada’s ministers of foreign affairs, national defense and international trade conveying concern over China’s military exercises in August and its freedom of navigation operations conducted in the Taiwan Strait in September, she said.
 
The Canadian government’s support of Taiwan in the global arena and its backing of the country’s international participation is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, Tsai added.
 
In response, Sgro praised Taiwan’s response to COVID-19 and its humanitarian aid during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She expressed enthusiasm for future opportunities to work together on Indo-Pacific strategy and congratulations on Taiwan’s 111th National Day.



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