Taiwan's Representative to Canada Tseng Hou-jen: China's Intimidation Reflects Anxiety, Urges Canadian MPs to Visit Taiwan
Taiwan's Representative to Canada, Tseng Hou-jen, stated that China's intimidation of democratic nations reflects its growing anxiety and urged Canadian parliamentarians not to abandon their visits to Taiwan. This comes as the Chinese ambassador warned against Canadian MPs visiting Taiwan or warships transiting the Taiwan Strait, prompting several Canadian MPs to call on the government to stand firm against Chinese interference.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 09:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hu Yu-li, Toronto, 4th) Taiwan's Representative to Canada, Tseng Hou-jen, told the Toronto Sun today that "China's intimidation of democratic nations highlights China's growing anxiety," and expressed hope that Canadian parliamentarians would not give up visiting Taiwan due to Chinese intimidation. Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman and other MPs continue to speak out for Taiwan and demand that the Carney government declare its independence from Chinese interference.
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Ding told the Globe and Mail on April 30 that sending Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait violates the "One China" principle, and that visits by parliamentarians to Taiwan or official contact with Taiwan would "harm" Canada-China relations. Wang Ding's "pointing fingers" at the Canadian government has continued to provoke reactions in Canadian political circles, with more MPs stepping forward to speak out for Taiwan and demanding that the Canadian government clearly state its position and not "bow down" to China.
Tseng Hou-jen was interviewed by the Toronto Sun to understand the details of President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini, which China tried to obstruct but ultimately succeeded, and his views on Wang Ding's warning to Canada. Tseng Hou-jen stated that President Lai's visit to diplomatic ally Eswatini was an important visit aimed at celebrating nearly 60 years of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini; "President Lai's visit to a diplomatic ally should not be politicized by China."
Former MP Kevin Vuong, who was affected by Chinese interference in Canadian politics, told the Toronto Sun that Canada must carefully respond to threats from the CCP government. "The Chinese ambassador has left the Canadian government with no choice but to continue allowing MPs to travel to Taiwan and send warships through the Taiwan Strait, otherwise it would be tantamount to admitting that Canada has handed over its foreign policy to a foreign authoritarian government."
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, who led a delegation to Taiwan in January, stated, "The Canadian government recalling Liberal MPs who were visiting Taiwan before Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January was not diplomacy, but a sign that Beijing's pressure was effective. The Prime Minister should clearly state his position, emphasizing that Canada will not take orders from foreign ambassadors."
Conservative foreign affairs critic and MP Michael Chong posted on social media platform X today, stating, "The Chinese ambassador's warning about Canadian MPs traveling to Taiwan or Royal Canadian Navy warships transiting international waters is unacceptable. The Liberal government's continued silence in the face of intimidation shows that they are 'bowing down' to Beijing; even though Canada's national intelligence agency assesses that the People's Republic of China is the biggest foreign interference threat to Canada's democratic institutions."
Chong pointed out, "Carney must clearly state that these remarks are unacceptable; as an independent sovereign nation, Canada will not accept orders from foreign governments telling its MPs where they can go or in which international waters its warships can operate."
Judy Sgro, Chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, and Liberal MP, issued a statement on platform X, noting, "Visits by parliamentarians to Taiwan allow elected representatives to personally experience the realities faced by the Taiwanese people: the challenges of maintaining a vibrant and innovative economy, the pressures brought by regional insecurity, and the core importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. These are not abstract issues; they affect global trade, supply chains, democratic resilience, and international security."
Sgro pointed out, "Promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in the global interest; at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, Canada-Taiwan dialogue, enhanced friendship, and mutual understanding are more important than ever." (Edited by Chen Hui-ping) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Hu Yu-li, Toronto, 4th) Taiwan's Representative to Canada, Tseng Hou-jen, told the Toronto Sun today that "China's intimidation of democratic nations highlights China's growing anxiety," and expressed hope that Canadian parliamentarians would not give up visiting Taiwan due to Chinese intimidation. Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman and other MPs continue to speak out for Taiwan and demand that the Carney government declare its independence from Chinese interference.
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Ding told the Globe and Mail on April 30 that sending Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait violates the "One China" principle, and that visits by parliamentarians to Taiwan or official contact with Taiwan would "harm" Canada-China relations. Wang Ding's "pointing fingers" at the Canadian government has continued to provoke reactions in Canadian political circles, with more MPs stepping forward to speak out for Taiwan and demanding that the Canadian government clearly state its position and not "bow down" to China.
Tseng Hou-jen was interviewed by the Toronto Sun to understand the details of President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini, which China tried to obstruct but ultimately succeeded, and his views on Wang Ding's warning to Canada. Tseng Hou-jen stated that President Lai's visit to diplomatic ally Eswatini was an important visit aimed at celebrating nearly 60 years of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini; "President Lai's visit to a diplomatic ally should not be politicized by China."
Former MP Kevin Vuong, who was affected by Chinese interference in Canadian politics, told the Toronto Sun that Canada must carefully respond to threats from the CCP government. "The Chinese ambassador has left the Canadian government with no choice but to continue allowing MPs to travel to Taiwan and send warships through the Taiwan Strait, otherwise it would be tantamount to admitting that Canada has handed over its foreign policy to a foreign authoritarian government."
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, who led a delegation to Taiwan in January, stated, "The Canadian government recalling Liberal MPs who were visiting Taiwan before Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January was not diplomacy, but a sign that Beijing's pressure was effective. The Prime Minister should clearly state his position, emphasizing that Canada will not take orders from foreign ambassadors."
Conservative foreign affairs critic and MP Michael Chong posted on social media platform X today, stating, "The Chinese ambassador's warning about Canadian MPs traveling to Taiwan or Royal Canadian Navy warships transiting international waters is unacceptable. The Liberal government's continued silence in the face of intimidation shows that they are 'bowing down' to Beijing; even though Canada's national intelligence agency assesses that the People's Republic of China is the biggest foreign interference threat to Canada's democratic institutions."
Chong pointed out, "Carney must clearly state that these remarks are unacceptable; as an independent sovereign nation, Canada will not accept orders from foreign governments telling its MPs where they can go or in which international waters its warships can operate."
Judy Sgro, Chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, and Liberal MP, issued a statement on platform X, noting, "Visits by parliamentarians to Taiwan allow elected representatives to personally experience the realities faced by the Taiwanese people: the challenges of maintaining a vibrant and innovative economy, the pressures brought by regional insecurity, and the core importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. These are not abstract issues; they affect global trade, supply chains, democratic resilience, and international security."
Sgro pointed out, "Promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in the global interest; at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, Canada-Taiwan dialogue, enhanced friendship, and mutual understanding are more important than ever." (Edited by Chen Hui-ping) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.