President Chen Shui-bian today received a Canadian parliamentary delegation and extended his warmest welcome on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of China toward the delegation.
The trip marks the third visits for Peter Adams, president of the Canadian delegation. Adams first visited Taiwan in October 1996 after former President Lee Teng-hui was sworn in, and in August 2000 he made his second trip after President Chen began his first term. Adams's third visit to Taiwan coincided with the end of a prolonged legal battle that upheld Chen's presidency. In addition to demonstrating hospitality, President Chen hoped that Adams and his delegation make another visit before 2008.
While honoring China's "one-China policy," Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin stressed during Chinese President Hu Jintao's recent visit to Canada that he would oppose firmly China's use of force against Taiwan, said President Chen. The president also expressed his admiration and gratefulness for the move by the Canadian prime minister.
President Chen is also grateful that the Canadian parliament has passed in 2003 and 2005 bills that support Taiwan's cause in obtaining an observer's status in the World Health Organization. The president believed that Taiwan should not become the loophole in the system of world disease prevention, because diseases know no boundaries. The president also thanked the delegation for Canada's firm support and friendship for Taiwan as the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group became the largest secondary group in the parliament.
The president noted that apart from the parliament, the number of Taiwanese high-ranking officials visiting Canada in the past two years has reached 20, exceeding the numbers of officials visiting Canada from Japan and South Korea. This shows the intensity of official interactions between Taiwan and Canada. The president also mentioned that the Canadian court once ruled that Taiwan is a sovereign state and is entitled the right of immunity. Taiwan also serves as the seventh largest source of tourists in Canada, with some 150,000 Taiwanese travelers having visited Canada for various purposes.
Canada is favorable in terms of learning environment and has become one of the ideal destinations for Taiwanese students, with about 15,000 Taiwanese students currently engaging in studies. Bilateral trade and business cooperation between Taiwan and Canada are also intense, with total trading amount climbing to CDN$4 billion. President Chen said that while Taiwan becomes Canada's 11th trading partner in the world and the fourth largest in Asia, he hopes the trade growth could continue to enlarge.
President Chen said the people and the government of the ROC are grateful that the Canadian parliament has pushed strongly for the passage of the "Taiwan Affairs Act," which is entering its second reading. Taiwan welcomes any enactment of laws so long as they contribute to the bilateral ties between Taiwan and Canada. And as Japan has granted Taiwanese travelers the permanent visa-waiver, President Chen called on the Canadian government to also provide the visa-free privilege to Taiwan.
The Canadian visitors thanked President Chen for the warm welcome, praised Taiwan's democratic achievement and pledged to strengthen ties between Canada and Taiwan.