Question Period Note: Cross-Strait Relations (Taiwan)

Cross-Strait relations, Taiwan's participation in international organizations

• Since 1970, Canada has maintained our One China Policy which recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legal government of China, while taking note of China's claim on Taiwan -- neither endorsing nor challenging it.
• Canada is watching developments in cross-Strait relations closely. Canada continues to strongly support constructive efforts that will contribute to peace, stability and peaceful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait.

• Canada supports Taiwan's equal participation in international organizations where it is already a full member, such as the WTO and APEC.
• In other international organizations, Canada supports Taiwan's meaningful participation when there is a practical imperative, such as in relation to aviation security and global health, and where Taiwan's absence would be detrimental to global interests.

Since 1970, Canada's One China policy has recognized the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China, noting - but not endorsing or challenging - its position on Taiwan. The PRC views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory and reserves the right to use force in the event that Taiwan moves toward formal independence or indefinite separation from the mainland. Canada opposes unilateral moves by either side to change Taiwan's status, believing that ultimate resolution of the issue should be negotiated peacefully by both sides.

Beijing has taken a more hardline approach towards Taiwan since the election of the pro-independence leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2016 following the DPP's refusal to explicitly recognize the "1992 Consensus" that was accepted by the previous government. The "1992 Consensus" was a recognition by both sides that there is only "one China," albeit with differing views as to who represents “China.”

Canada and Taiwan cooperate in certain multilateral forums, including APEC and the WTO. In other international fora, the Government of Canada has consistently supported Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations where there is a practical imperative and where Taiwan's absence would be detrimental to global interests. This includes support for Taiwan's observership and technical engagement in discussions relating to global health and aviation security.

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