Taiwan's Diplomatic Concerns Over Canada's China Relations
In a revealing interview conducted in Richmond, British Columbia, Harry Tseng, the head of Taipei's Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, has articulated Taiwan's apprehensions regarding Canada's growing economic ties with China. Tseng's comments highlight the delicate balance Taiwan must maintain while advocating for its security and sovereignty.
The Shadow of Transnational Repression
"China has a policy of long-armed law enforcement. It's called TNR, transnational repression," Tseng stated emphatically during the conversation. This policy, according to Tseng, creates an atmosphere of surveillance and intimidation that affects the approximately 45,000 people of Taiwanese origin living in Metro Vancouver and across Canada.
Tseng contrasted current tensions with more harmonious times, recalling his graduate school days when friendships between Taiwanese and mainland Chinese students were commonplace. "When I was a student I had friends from Mainland China. But nowadays I have to think twice," he lamented, attributing this change to China's increasingly aggressive monitoring of ethnic Chinese communities abroad.
Geopolitical Realities and Economic Threats
The representative described Taiwan as facing dual threats from China: military intimidation through escalating naval and air force exercises around the island, and economic pressure that could be exacerbated by Canada's trade policies. Taiwan, with its population of 23 million and significant high-tech industry, sits just 180 kilometers from China's coast, making its strategic position particularly vulnerable.
Tseng specifically expressed concern about Prime Minister Mark Carney's renewed trade agreements with China, warning that closer economic ties between Ottawa and Beijing could further jeopardize Taiwan's independence. His overall goal is to politely warn Ottawa not to get too cozy with Xi's China, particularly through these trade deals that might sacrifice Taiwan's security interests.
Symbolic Battles and Community Harassment
Lihsin Angel Liu, director-general of Taipei's economic and cultural office in Vancouver, provided additional examples of China's pressure tactics. She described how the Chinese government successfully lobbied the small tourist town of Hope, British Columbia, to remove Taiwan's flag from an international display.
"Last year, Hope responded to China's complaints by taking down Taiwan's red-and-blue flag, with a white sun. Then council raised it up again," Liu explained. However, she noted that just two weeks prior to the interview, Hope Mayor Victor Smith revealed that the Canadian government had "pressured" council to remove the flag once more, replacing it with the flag of Taipei instead.
Liu also described more subtle forms of harassment, including coordinated social media attacks against Taiwan's representatives in Canada. "When Taiwan's representatives in Canada post news on social media about their activities, anonymous people will say something bad. They'll say Taiwan belongs to China. I believe they are government sponsored," she asserted.
Diplomatic Missions and Indigenous Partnerships
Despite these tensions, Tseng's visit to British Columbia included positive diplomatic outreach. He recently led a delegation to Haida Gwaii, where he met with Indigenous leaders to discuss potential trade and tourism opportunities between Taiwan and First Nations communities. Additionally, he continues to work on a yet-to-be-ratified trade agreement between Taiwan and Canada that could provide economic benefits to both parties.
These diplomatic efforts represent Taiwan's attempt to build international relationships that might counterbalance China's influence. However, Tseng expressed concern that Taiwan's population might not fully appreciate the threat China poses, wishing "the people in his country were a bit more afraid of China than they are, given the threat of invasion and ongoing monitoring."
The Broader Implications for Canada-Taiwan Relations
The interview reveals the complex diplomatic tightrope Canada must walk between its economic interests with China and its relationship with Taiwan. As China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan as an "inalienable part of its territory," Taiwanese representatives in Canada find themselves advocating for recognition and protection while navigating what Tseng called "a little bit tricky" relationships with mainland Chinese communities.
Tseng's warnings come at a critical juncture in international relations, as democratic nations worldwide reconsider their economic dependencies on authoritarian regimes. His message to Ottawa emphasizes that security considerations should not be sacrificed for economic gains, particularly when those gains might come at the expense of Taiwan's sovereignty and the safety of its diaspora community in Canada.
