Image Credit: Taiwan News
Taiwan’s Vice President, Hsiao Bi-khim, sought to strengthen ties with Canada during a meeting on Monday, 16 September, with Richard Fadden, a former national security advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister. The discussion focused on deeper bilateral cooperation, particularly in maintaining regional stability in the Taiwan Strait, a key area of shared interest between Taiwan and Canada, as confirmed by Taiwan’s Presidential Office.
Hsiao conveyed her appreciation for Canada’s solidarity with global democracies and emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region. She noted that the geopolitical environment in the Indo-Pacific directly affects both countries’ economic prosperity, expressing her desire to engage with the delegation to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The Canadian delegation, which includes former defence officials, is also set to engage with Taiwan’s National Security Council, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. These meetings are expected to further discussions on defence, security, and trade cooperation between the two nations.
Earlier, Canadian Representative to Taiwan Jim Nickel highlighted Taiwan’s crucial role in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy. During his meeting with Premier Cho Jung-tai last week, Nickel discussed Canada’s intention to deepen cooperation with Taiwan, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, combating disinformation, and countering foreign interference.
Hsiao’s meeting with Fadden is seen as part of broader efforts by both Taiwan and Canada to fortify their relationship amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region. The focus on peace and stability is expected to remain central to future talks, with both sides keen to collaborate on maintaining regional security and enhancing democratic resilience.