2023-06-27
Canada Think-Tank Scholars Visit DPP, Exchange Views on General Elections and Cross-Strait Issues
Dr. Pascale Massot, a member of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Advisory Group of the Canadian federal government and an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Ottawa, led a delegation of Canadian think-tank scholars to visit the Democratic Progressive Party yesterday evening (June 26). The two sides exchanged views on Taiwanese diplomacy, economy and trade, cross-strait issues, next year's presidential election, and democratic development. Representing the DPP were Lo Chih-cheng, legislator and director of the Committee on Policy Research and Coordination; Deputy Secretary-General Andrea Yang; and Party Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh.
In addition to Dr. Pascale Massot, the members of the delegation include Robert Baines, president and CEO of the Canadian NATO Association; Dr. Youri Cormier, executive director of the Association Research Institute; Dr. David Perry, director of the Canadian Institute of Global Affairs; Dr. Kimie Hara, a professor and the Renison Research Professor in East Asian Studies at Renison University College, University of Waterloo; Ms. Vina Nadzhibulla, a professor in the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia; Mr. Bijan Ahmadi, executive director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomacy; Mr. Darren Touch, founder and CEO of the Canada-China Forum/Indo-Pacific Strategy of the Canadian Federal Government; and Gregiore-Francois Legault, deputy director of the political, economic and public affairs department of the Canadian trade office in Taipei.
In response to the questions of cross-strait issues raised by members of the visiting delegation, Lo Chih-cheng presented an analysis of Taiwan's election situation and national defense and shared his views with the scholars present. He pointed out that Taiwan has suffered the most cyber attacks of any country in the world, the most significant source of which is China. Among the goals China wants to achieve through these attacks is to influence public opinion in Taiwan. For democracies, censoring different views is nearly impossible due to the importance of freedom of speech. This gives China a considerable advantage in weakening Taiwan's democracy, which is also a challenge Taiwanese society is facing.
Deputy Secretary-General Andrea Yang said that according to the polls on the trustworthiness of the U.S. and China, nearly 60% of the people in Taiwan believe the U.S. is trustworthy, while less than 20% say that of China. After the Anti-Extradition Bill Movement in Hong Kong in 2019, the people of Taiwan have seen the transformation of Hong Kong from a democratic society to being subject to Xi Jinping's authoritarian rule in recent years. China's expansionist ambitions are obvious, not only in the military but also in social and economic expansion. In April this year, the Canadian Parliament published a report on Taiwan for the first time, showing that many countries have realized that the problems Taiwan is facing are also ones the world needs to consider. She added that China not only intervened in Taiwan's elections, but reports also suggested that China attempted to intervene in Canada's elections. We believe China’s are a series of premeditated actions.
Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh said that this presidential election is not a choice between peace and war but a crucial battle to preserve Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty. As the first political party established in Taiwan, the DPP's has always stood for Taiwan's independence and democratic values. While the KMT is counting on an agreement and the 1992 Consensus to reach peace, the DPP believes in "peace through strength." Regarding military affairs, the DPP administration led by President Tsai Ing-wen is committed to strengthening Taiwan's national defense. As for geopolitics, we continue to expand Taiwan's international presence, communicating and cooperating closely with democratic partners around the world who share common values. And we continue to be an essential member of the democratic camp.
Lo Chih-cheng said that Taiwan hopes to tell our story to other democratic countries through exchanges because what has happened in Taiwan will likely occur elsewhere too. We want to tell the world that we are on the right side of history, and stand with countries that share common values such as democracy, human rights and freedom.
