Conservatives accuse Liberals after two MPs cut Taiwan trip short

Two Liberal MPs left a parliamentary delegation in Taiwan early, saying they were returning 'informed by advice from the government.' Conservative MPs on the same trip plan to remain and complete their scheduled meetings.

Two Liberal Members of Parliament have left a parliamentary delegation to Taiwan earlier than planned and announced they are returning to Canada "informed by advice from the government." The delegation included members from multiple parties and overlapped with a planned four-day visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney to China, which the government says includes a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong criticized the early departures as yielding to Chinese pressure. Conservative MPs on the delegation said they will remain in Taiwan to finish scheduled meetings. Key reported facts: - Liberal MPs Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde said they are returning home "informed by advice from the government." - Three Conservative MPs on the delegation — Melissa Lantsman, Adam Chambers and Shelby Kramp-Neuman — plan to remain in Taiwan and complete scheduled meetings. - The parliamentary trip to Taiwan was sponsored by the Taiwanese government and included meetings with local officials. - The delegation overlapped with a four-day trip to China by Prime Minister Mark Carney, which is reported to include a meeting with President Xi Jinping. Summary: The early return of two Liberal MPs and the decision by other MPs to remain have prompted public political statements and attention to overlapping diplomatic schedules. Conservative MPs will complete their planned Taiwan meetings, and the prime minister's trip to China is scheduled to proceed as reported.