We can't always make nice with China: Canada should build its relationship with Taiwan, whether or not trade with Beijing is affected

By David Kilgour, MP Edmonton Mill Woods - Beaumont

Ottawa Citizen, June 21, 2005

News, Arguments, A13

The media across our country recently overflowed with comments by business and political leaders who say the passage of the Taiwan Affairs Act -- a private member's proposal -- will ruin our commercial relationship with China.

The dissenters overlook that following the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act by the American Congress 26 years ago, two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and China have soared almost continuously.

The proposed Taiwan Affairs Act recognizes the reality that Pierre Trudeau proposed just after taking office as prime minister in 1968: "Our aim will be to recognize the People's Republic of China government as soon as possible and to enable the government to occupy the seat of China in the UN, taking into account that there is a separate government in Taiwan."

When Canada in 1970 recognized the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China and terminated diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the cabinet took note and neither endorsed nor challenged China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. Cabinet records at the time indicate that the Trudeau government intended to maintain a de facto relationship with Taiwan in spite of the "One-China" policy.

In 1966, Paul Martin Sr., then secretary of state for external affairs, said in a speech that "by international law Formosa [Taiwan] has achieved statehood."

In 2003, the Quebec Superior Court case Parent vs. Singapore Airlines held that Taiwan meets all the criteria of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States to be deemed a sovereign country. It has a defined territory, a permanent population and an effective government, which has all the powers one would associate with a governing body, including the ability to enter into relations with other states.

Bill C-357 establishes a framework for better interactions between our two peoples, based on shared values of peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human beings. It does not alter current diplomatic relationships, but only encourages a deepening of economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. It does not change the international status of Taiwan or affect any future relationship that Taiwan might develop with China.

It has, moreover, broad all-party support. The MPs who intended to second the bill when it was introduced on April 4 included Don Boudria (Liberal), Stockwell Day (Conservative), Alexa McDonough (NDP) and Meili Faille (Bloc Quebecois).

Finally, its supporters in all political parties are determined to put well-known Canadian values into action.

Those who oppose it see things differently, as was evident in comments made last week by Trade Minister James Peterson: "I am very sympathetic to the people of Taiwan, but is it really in Canada's interests at the time [to act in a way] that could jeopardize our trade and investment relationship with China?"

Earlier this year while in China with Paul Martin Jr., Mr. Peterson was reported to be vigorously defending outsourcing by Canadian businesses to the mainland, despite the fact that our two-way trade deficit last year with China was more than $17 billion. If the U.S. trade deficit with China -- last year an astonishing $161 billion (U.S.) -- is estimated to be costing Americans 400,000 jobs, how many livelihoods does the minister think are similarly now being lost in our own country?

It is true that consumers across the world benefit from low prices for Chinese products, but at what human costs to their workforces? What about the water pollution in seven major watersheds across China? The World Bank estimates that China now contains 16 of the planet's 20 most-polluted urban centres.

Some continue to argue that "constructive engagement" will lead to human dignity in the Middle Kingdom and I very much hope that will happen. A spokesperson for Amnesty International Canada, however, notes that human rights across China have deteriorated significantly in recent years.

Assuming that our bilateral commercial relationship with China can be developed over time into a mutually beneficial one, when did Canadian interests become defined solely in terms of economic self-interest? We Canadians have long prided ourselves on a dedication to democracy, free speech, multiculturalism, religious pluralism, the rule of law and human rights.

To continue essentially to turn our backs on 23 million Taiwanese, who have overcome so many challenges, including the 700-plus missiles aimed at them from the mainland, to create a democratic society based on values similar to Canada's would be hypocritical -- at best.

Our longstanding relationship with the Chinese people should also be enhanced, but we should not do so by abandoning Taiwan. Bill C-357 recognizes that Canada and Taiwan have a relationship, but does not alter our One-China policy.

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David Kilgour, independent MP for Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, is a former secretary of state for Asia-Pacific and a seconder of C-357.