The Canadian House of Commons has unanimously passed a significant motion rejecting China’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. This resolution emphasises that United Nations (UN) Resolution 2758, which transferred China’s UN seat to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), does not equate to Taiwan falling under PRC control. Moreover, it clarifies that this resolution has no bearing on Taiwan’s ability to engage with international organisations.
The motion was introduced by Yves Perron, a member of the Bloc Quebecois, who serves as its president. Addressing Parliament in French, Perron highlighted Canada’s deepening relationship with Taiwan, marked by expanding economic and cultural ties.
Both countries are working closely in various fields, including trade, investment, technology, and cultural exchanges, furthering their mutual understanding and cooperation.
This growing collaboration spans sectors like youth programs, art, indigenous affairs, and educational partnerships, underscoring the diverse and robust relationship Canada and Taiwan share.
According to Perron, this move aligns with Canada’s foreign policy goals and reflects a commitment to advocating for Taiwan on the international stage. Members of Parliament, he noted, would continue to engage with global allies to support Taiwan’s inclusion in international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Following the motion’s passing, Perron voiced his perspective on social media, accusing China of misinterpreting UN Resolution 2758. He claimed that China has been using this resolution to assert control over Taiwan, justifying actions in Taiwanese airspace and territorial waters.
Perron also stated that China’s President Xi Jinping appears to be using this resolution as a basis for aggressive posturing toward Taiwan, reinforcing the claim of sovereignty over the island.
The history of UN Resolution 2758 is central to this discussion. The resolution, passed during the 26th UN General Assembly, marked a shift by recognizing the PRC as the rightful representative of China within the UN.
However, the resolution did not explicitly address the status of Taiwan or the Republic of China (ROC), which governs Taiwan. The absence of direct mention of Taiwan has since left room for interpretation and, as Perron argues, has allowed China to apply pressure on Taiwan while using the resolution as justification.
Perron, who previously visited Taiwan in July to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit, has been a vocal advocate of Taiwan’s rights within the international community. His stance echoes broader sentiments within Canadian politics, where many support Taiwan’s independence and seek to curb China’s influence in the region.
This recent motion in Canada follows a similar resolution adopted by the European Parliament. Last month, European leaders passed a motion affirming that UN Resolution 2758 does not affect Taiwan’s eligibility to participate in the UN and other international platforms.
European representatives also strongly opposed any unilateral changes in the Taiwan Strait, emphasising the need to maintain stability and the current “status quo” in the region.
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