Chong’s visit to Taiwan is 'to send a very clear message': strategist

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]With me now is conservative strategist Jamie Ellerton. Jamie, good morning.

[00:00:03]Great to see you.

[00:00:05]Good morning, Akshay. So, MP Chong claims he is in Taipei on a self on an independent self-funded mission and doesn't represent the government of Canada. That's correct. But, as conservative foreign affairs critic, his actions carry massive diplomatic weight, Jamie.

[00:00:20]Yeah, and I think that's exactly why he's there, Akshay. He's there to send a very clear message that Beijing is not going to dictate to Canadian parliamentarians what they can and cannot do. And the Conservative Party has a proud tradition of standing up with in solidarity with democratic allies. And when you look at the ongoing threats that the Chinese Communist Party faces towards Taiwan, let's be real. Taiwan all but operates as an independent state and has since the Communist Revolution. And over the past 30 years, it's become a thriving liberal democracy. And that's exactly why Michael Chong is there today to recognize that reality on an ongoing people-to-people exchange endeavor. As well as looking at the fact that Taiwan is Canada's sixth largest trading partner in Asia. And so, those relations also warrant the respect. And a trip like this gives just that.

[00:01:11]We know that China is not happy with this trip. They have made it very clear.

[00:01:14]Recently, there has been a toll on relations between Canada and China with the Prime Minister's visit to China. If China were to retaliate economically, Jamie, how will Conservatives justify this trip?

[00:01:26]I think when you look again at the reality of Taiwan is our sixth largest trading partner. And Taiwan's very existence continues to be threatened by an authoritarian regime across the strait. And what do the Chinese look to do? And so, I think this is the saying, we can trade. You are seeing more agricultural goods going west across the Pacific into the Chinese market. You're seeing some other goods come back in return. And a lot more that already was existing.

[00:01:53]And I think these are part of what normal relations are. I the same way that China can say, don't deal with our internal affairs. I'd say we send it back to the Chinese Embassy. Don't deal with our internal affairs as we work with another trade partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Now, President Trump as we know was there in China just last week. A warning Taiwan as well against declaring independence. He said that when he was flying back to the US.

[00:02:12]Washington we see is trying to lower the temperatures here. As I was saying our relations have also started thawing with China. Canada is looking to diversify.

[00:02:22]Why Jamie then? Why the timing? Why is this trip important right now?

[00:02:28]These trips take place regularly actually and I think what you're trying to see is the Chinese try to erode that very norm. On a regular basis for decades you've seen parliamentarians from across the political spectrum engage with parliamentarians in Taiwan and every single time that a delegation goes over the Chinese try and raise the stakes and say we're going to do something evil if you do this by kowtowing to the Chinese regime and to refusing to engage with our Taiwanese partners. It's allowing essentially Beijing to shift the facts on the ground. And so that's why I think this matters because the Chinese are being so ridiculous with their rhetoric to say hey, what's going on in mainland China, those are indeed what you control. We'll express our human rights concerns and trade with you where it makes sense for Canadians to do such a thing. But for Taiwan, you do not control that land and although the history of the one China policy given the regime change after the Chinese Communist Revolution, the reality is the facts on the ground.

[00:03:24]Taiwan de facto operates as an independent state today. And I think what you're seeing Michael Chong do is recognize that reality. Mr. Chong and his family as we know have historically been targeted by Beijing for his political political stances he's taken.

[00:03:36]Is he not risking or inviting another wave of foreign interference against Canadian public officials with this visit?

[00:03:44]Actually, I think the best way to respond to that is what you're seeing from Michael Chong is principled leadership on the world stage and I think as Canadians as we look to have leaders who stand up for our values.

[00:03:54]This is something Canadians should applaud.

[00:03:56]Okay, we'll leave it at that then.

[00:03:58]Conservative strategist Jamie Elton, thank you for your time, Jamie.

[00:04:00]Appreciate it.