China warns of 'forceful measures' over Canada's planned Taiwan visit, Ottawa responds

China on Tuesday, August 23 warned that if Cana "interferes" in Taiwan, it will take "forceful measures." This comes just a week after it was revealed that a delegation of Canian parliamentarians was planning to visit island later this year to explore tre opportunities. 

On or hand, Ottawa responded to Beijing's warnings on Wednesday, August 24 stating that China should not use  planned trip to Taiwan by Canian lawmakers as justification for eir military or economic aggression. Under "one-China principle," China claims Taiwan as its territory and objects to foreign politicians visiting island. Taiwan, which is democratically governed, rejects China's claims.

"We urge Canian side to abide by one-China principle and respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China will take resolute and forceful measures against any country that attempts to interfere with or infringe upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," Chinese embassy is Cana noted in an official statement.

Members of a Cana-Taiwan parliamentary "friendship group," which receives no ministrative or financial support from Canian parliament, were planning a trip to self-ruled island in October, according to Liberal MP Judy Sgro. She stated that trip would be focused on tre and that lawmakers' intention was not to disrupt or cause problems for Taiwan or China.

Canian government said in a statement that parliamentary associations and friendship groups were independent, and that it respected lawmakers' intention to visit Taiwan. Cana, like rest of West, heres to a one-China policy, diplomatically recognising Beijing rar than Taipei, while unofficially supporting Taiwan.

Ottawa's response to China's warnings

Since US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this month against Beijing's wishes, relationship between China and West has deteriorated. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Canian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said on August 24 that China should not use a planned visit to Taiwan by Canian lawmakers as a pretext for military or economic aggression.

According to rien Blanchard, a spokesperson for Joly, parliamentary associations and friendship groups make ir own travel decisions, which Canian government respects.

Blanchard said, "As we have said before, travel of parliamentarians should not be used as a pretext for escalation or aggressive military and economic actions."

Image: AP