OTTAWA-
A committee of Canadian lawmakers is seeking budget approval to make a trade trip to Taiwan this fall, but the plan could escalate tensions with China.
NDP MP Brian Masse, who sits on the House of Commons International Trade Committee, said the trip was still in the planning stages.
Conservative MP and committee vice-chair Randy Hoback said Canadian MPs traveled to Taiwan twice a year before COVID-19, but he wants to consult with Global Affairs Canada before making the trip now.
Earlier this month, China condemned a trip to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
China considers the island of Taiwan to be its territory, and Beijing imposed sanctions on Pelosi in retaliation for his visit and held military exercises around Taiwan to express its displeasure.
During Pelosi’s visit, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged China to defuse tensions, saying lawmakers often make international visits and they should not be used to justify China’s move. to organize military exercises.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 17, 2022.