QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs and International Trade
One China Policy
April 10, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Canada’s foreign policy with China has inexorably and relentlessly been led by the One China policy since 1970, often to the detriment of our national interest.
This 50-year-old policy remains unrevised, unchallenged and strategically leveraged by Chinese officials in Canada to thwart our support for human rights in Tibet and Hong Kong, our support for Taiwan’s vibrant democracy, our stand on the South China Sea dispute, and even a private company like Air Canada or Marriott Hotels.
Senator Harder, Global Affairs offered no official statement of clear definitions of the One China policy. Yet our officials in Canada and abroad consistently refer and abide by an outdated foreign policy that is more clearly defined by the Chinese embassy in Canada. Canadians who are affected by this developing crisis with China need to have access to this policy in order to defend our democracy against China-imposed political views.
Can you clarify Canada’s official definition of the One China policy and inquire to make sure it is made available to Canadians on the public record?
As the honourable senator will know and as his question implies, the so-called One China policy has been part of our engagement with the People’s Republic of China since diplomatic relations were established and respected by successive governments, each of which understood what that meant and have exercised their responsibilities accordingly.
If you think that this development would have happened in this year alone, I don’t know what to tell you: the hostage taking of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the sentencing of Robert Schellenberg, the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, the blockade of close to $3 billion of canola exports, and so on. This one-way consultation policy is also utilized in Canada to question our support for our democracy partner, Taiwan.
Yesterday, Minister Freeland testified before the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and answered a question regarding our relationship with Taiwan by stating:
. . . we continue to have strong and growing people-to-people ties with Taiwan within the framework of Canada’s One China policy.
Since we are currently working with a one-sided understanding of this policy, can you reassure us that the Government of Canada will support Taiwan’s involvement in the upcoming World Health Assembly taking place at the end of next May?
Again, I thank the honourable senator for his question. He will know, from the testimony by the Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday to which he referred, that the minister articulated well the view of the Government of Canada with respect to the bilateral relationship with the People’s Republic of China and the depth of that relationship, even though we are facing, as all honourable senators will know, a challenging period on a number of files, including those raised in this chamber with regard to consulate issues, canola or other issues of concern.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t value and promote our diplomatic and economic relations that benefit Canadians and Canadian enterprises in the bilateral relationship. It also doesn’t mean that we don’t strengthen and are not devoted to our relationship with Taiwan. Those are referenced and, as the minister made clear, take place within the framework of our overall relationship with a One China policy. Canada has supported, where appropriate, Taiwan participation in international organizations and will continue to do so.
