Canada–Taiwan relations



Canada and Taiwan (also known as Republic of China) have maintained unofficial bilateral relations since 1970. First contacts between Canada and Taiwan began in 1871 with the arrival of George Leslie Mackay.

Relations between Canada and the ROC were established in 1942. Since Canada's recognition of the People's Republic of China as the sole representative of "China" in 1970, there are no ambassadorial relations between Canada and Taiwan due to the Chinese government's One-China policy, but there are strong ties of trade and culture between the two entities since at least 1986. Officially, Canada "takes note" of China's claim to Taiwan without endorsing or challenging this position.

Early contacts
George Leslie Mackay moved to Taiwan in 1871 as the island's first Presbyterian missionary. He worked at the Canadian Mission's Tamsui outpost as a teacher and dentist.

Relations between Canada and China were established on January 9, 1909. Canada posted its first ambassador for the Republic of China in 1942 located in the wartime capital of Chongqing. The embassy was then moved to the permanent capital of Nanjing in 1946. However, with the Communist victory over the Nationalists, which caused them to retreat to Taiwan, formerly a Qing prefecture that was under Japanese dominion for 50 years, while the Communists established the People's Republic of China, the Canadian embassy in Nanjing was kept open until February 26, 1951.

Modern history
After the Nationalists withdrew to Taiwan, Canada continued to recognize the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of "China" even after Japan relinquished the claims to Taiwan and Penghu upon the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco on April 28, 1952. Owing to the controversy, the Louis St. Laurent cabinet concluded on January 25, 1955, that Canada's position on the status of Taiwan and Penghu remains undetermined.

On 13 October 1970, Canada recognized People's Republic of China (PRC) and suspended diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan. In the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 Canada supported the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the successor state of the Republic of China. After diplomatic relations between Canada and the ROC were suspended, both diplomatic missions were replaced by representative offices.

Presently, the Government of the Republic of China maintains the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada in Ottawa, and two other offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Taiwan External Trade Development Council also has offices in Toronto and Vancouver.

The Government of Canada established the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT) in 1986 during the days of Brian Mulroney. During the mandate of Stephen Harper the CTOT expanded and moved to the Xinyi District of Taipei.

In October 2019, Stephen Harper visited Taipei as a private citizen to attend the Yushan Forum, promote his book, Right Here, Right Now, and give a speech that was described as a "thinly-veiled criticism of China's economic model" by the Globe and Mail.

In 2024 British Columbia opened a trade office in Taiwan. Called the British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative Office it is located in Taipei.

Economic
In 2019, Taiwan was reportedly the fifth-largest trading partner in Asia of Canada. The main exports from Canada to Taiwan are metal ore, mineral oil, asphalt, wood, coal, nickel, meat and railway vehicles.

Canada is the 24th largest trade partner of Taiwan, which exported to Canada over $1.5bn worth of goods and services in 2017–18, ranking it 19th on the Canadian list. The main exports from Taiwan to Canada were mobile devices, recording equipment, boilers, steel products, and plastic products.

In 2018, the balance of trade between Taiwan and Canada in 2018 was 47.9 billion Canadian dollars in favour of the Taiwanese.

As the Canadian difficulties with China mounted in 2019, academics like Hugh Stephens suggested that the Taiwanese relationship be fostered and promoted, which he saw as being consistent with Canada's democratic values. He would encourage the accession of Taiwan to the CPTPP, and noted that Taiwanese membership with the WTO allowed New Zealand to sign an FTA with Taiwan in 2013.

In October 2023, it was announced that Canada and Taiwan has completed negotiations on a foreign investment promotion and protection arrangement.

Taiwanfest
Taiwanfest began in 1990 in Vancouver by musical/cultural magnate Cecilia Chueh as a music festival but expanded to include various cultural events. From 2006 onwards, it is also expanded and celebrated in Toronto.