OTTAWA — China’s embassy in Canada says a Canadian MP’s visit to Taiwan crosses a “red line” for Ottawa’s relationship with Beijing.
Conservative MP Michael Chong is in Taiwan this week to meet with Taiwanese officials and assert Canadian sovereignty after China’s ambassador to Canada warned MPs against travelling to Taiwan in a media interview earlier last month.
Although Taiwan considers itself an independent nation, Canada’s official position neither challenges nor endorses China’s claim on the island — yet still treats Taiwan as part of the government’s long-standing One China Policy.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Canada says it opposes any countries having formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and urges Canada to avoid interfering in what it calls internal Chinese affairs.
Chong says in a social media post that Canada does not take direction from foreign governments on where MPs can travel, adding Taiwan is “a democracy on the frontlines of threats coming from authoritarian states.”
The Conservative MP’s visit comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China in January to forge a new strategic partnership with the country.
A statement from the Conservative Party said Chong would be in Taiwan until Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2026.
Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
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