The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, Chen Li-guo, recently hosted a luncheon to welcome the Canadian “National Security Affairs Visiting Delegation.” The delegation leader, former Canadian Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Richard Fadden, expressed his anticipation for Canada and Taiwan to jointly expand cooperation areas that will enable both parties to share prosperity and enhance the development of Canada-Taiwan relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China issued a press release on the 17th, stating that Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Li-guo hosted a luncheon on the 16th to welcome the Canadian “National Security Affairs Visiting Delegation” led by former Canadian Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Richard Fadden. The two sides fully exchanged views on issues such as Taiwan’s defense reform, countering foreign disinformation, strengthening diplomatic relations, and international engagement.
Chen Li-guo sincerely welcomed Canada’s formation of the first visiting group of retired officials focusing on national security affairs to visit Taiwan. He noted Canada’s dispatch of warships to sail through the Taiwan Strait on July 31st, marking the fourth voyage through the Taiwan Strait since Canada announced its “Indo-Pacific Strategy” in 2022, demonstrating Canada’s firm determination to uphold freedom, openness, and inclusivity in the Indo-Pacific region. He was pleased to see the Canadian government continue to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with Taiwan in countering disinformation, trade, healthcare, and technology under the guidance of the “Indo-Pacific Strategy.”
Delegation leader Richard Fadden of the Canadian “National Security Affairs Visiting Delegation” expressed his willingness to share the observations from this trip with the Canadian government. Both Canada and Taiwan are medium-sized countries with common interests in the Indo-Pacific region, looking forward to jointly expanding cooperation areas that will enable both parties to share prosperity and enhance Canada-Taiwan relations.
In addition to former Canadian Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Richard Fadden, the visiting delegation members include 11 retired Canadian national security officials and think tank scholars, such as former Assistant Secretary to the Privy Council Office Martin Green and former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Guy Thibault. During their stay in Taiwan, the delegation will interact with relevant ministries, think tanks, educational institutions, and visit Kinmen.
On the morning of the 16th, Vice President of the Republic of China, Hsiao Mei-chin, delivered a speech when meeting with the “Canadian National Security Affairs Visiting Delegation.” She first expressed her welcome to the visiting delegation and thanked Canada for standing with other global democratic countries in recent years, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Hsiao Mei-chin stated that maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait is of significant importance for global prosperity and is also a common interest of Taiwan and Canada. She looks forward to understanding the visiting guests’ views on current geopolitical situations through exchanges and exploring potential cooperation opportunities between Taiwan and Canada. She expressed gratitude for the guests’ attention to the Taiwan-Canada partnership and hoped to deepen the cooperation between the two countries through further exchanges.