Judy Sgro, president of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group, told CBC News last week that a group of Canadian MPs and senators plans to visit the island as early as October. While Canadian MPs have toured Taiwan in the past, there are currently heightened fears about the risk of diplomatic travel to Taiwan escalating political tensions with Beijing. China considers the island of Taiwan an “inalienable part” of its territory, the country’s embassy said in a statement Tuesday to CBC News. Beijing has imposed sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and held military exercises in Taiwan after Pelosi visited the island earlier this month. “China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic relations with China,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement. “China will take decisive and forceful measures against any country that attempts to interfere or violate China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The statement was sent in response to requests for comment on the friendship group’s planned trip and questions about whether China would impose sanctions on Canada in response. The statement went on to urge Canada to “uphold the one-China principle and respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said MPs make their own decisions about what their committees study and the trips they take. He also said his government would ensure that members of parliament consider all the possible consequences of a trip to Taiwan.
