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Mark Carney's Taiwan recall raises questions about solidarity.
Summary
Prime Minister Mark Carney began a trip to China after recalling two Liberal MPs from a visit to Taiwan, a move the government said was to avoid confusion with Canada's foreign policy and which drew criticism from opposition figures and a former ambassador.
Content
Prime Minister Mark Carney began his inaugural trip to China after the Canadian government recalled two Ontario Liberal MPs who were visiting Taiwan. The government said the recall was meant to avoid confusion with Canada's foreign policy. The decision drew criticism from some opposition figures and a former ambassador. Taiwan publicly thanked the Conservative members of the delegation who remained.
Key facts:
- Two Liberal MPs, Helena Jaczek and Marie‑France Lalonde, were recalled from a visit to Taiwan.
- The government said the recall was taken to avoid confusion with Canada's foreign policy during the prime minister's China trip.
- Opposition foreign affairs critic Michael Chong described the move as "kowtowing to Beijing's authoritarianism," and former ambassador David Mulroney criticized the government's handling.
- Taiwan's president and foreign minister thanked Conservative members of the delegation who remained and noted shared democratic ties.
- International reports and think‑tank analyses say Beijing has sought to limit other countries' official contacts with Taiwan and that Taiwan faces diplomatic isolation concerns.
Summary:
Carney's recall of the two Liberal MPs and his trip to China have prompted debate about Canada's stance toward Taiwan and China. Officials framed the recall as a measure to prevent confusion in foreign policy, while critics saw it as undue deference to Beijing. Undetermined at this time.
