cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/9882148

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Canada’s long-standing framework to interact with Taipei “has not changed,” Canada’s representative to Taiwan, Marie-Louise Hannan, said Monday amid concerns in Taipei over Mark Carney’s ongoing efforts to improve relations with China.

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Hannan, who took office as Canada’s de facto ambassador to Taiwan last September, cited Carney’s remarks that middle powers must work together to create a “third path” with real impact as being significant for ties with Taipei.

“Essentially, Canada’s economic security and our overall safety and security are the big priorities that have something to do with Taiwan,” she said.

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The envoy said Canada already has a strong and growing presence in Taiwan, as it sees the latter as an attractive market for Canadian products and services.

Beyond trade and investment, the two sides have also maintained close people-to-people exchanges, which are the “precious foundation of our relationship with Taiwan,” she said.

Such exchanges began with early Canadian missionaries such as George Leslie Mackay, who founded schools, churches, and hospitals across northern Taiwan 150 years ago, she said.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT), she said. The organization serves as Canada’s de facto embassy in Taiwan.

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