TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim (沈觀健) rejected a demand by China that a Taiwan representative be blocked from an event hosted by the city.
The Bureau reported that documents obtained through a freedom of information request show that the City of Vancouver hosted a luncheon and briefing for international partners in the BC Consular Corps at the Pan Pacific Hotel on Nov. 20, 2024. In his opening remarks, Sim emphasized that the event focused on affordable housing policy and public safety in the Downtown Eastside.
The following day, China’s Consul General in Vancouver, Yang Shu (楊舒), sent a letter to Mayor Sim expressing gratitude for the invitation, but also raised a sharp objection. “I noticed that the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver was also invited. This was inappropriate, and the Chinese Consulate expresses its dissatisfaction regarding this,” wrote Yang.
Yang claimed that the Canadian Federal and municipal governments adhere to Beijing's “one China” principle. Yang asserted that his consulate is the only mission representing China in Vancouver.
Yang purported that this was the first time in recent years that the TECO head had been invited to attend this biannual luncheon. “I hope the City of Vancouver could take this issue seriously and provide clarification regarding this," said Yang.
Sim responded with a letter on Dec. 1 in which he clarified that “Vancouver has been inviting the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) to the briefing for international partners since 2007." He stressed that while the city invites Consular Corps members, it also welcomes other international partners to “foster inclusive and collaborative dialogue.”
Sim added that “The City of Vancouver recognizes the diversity and vibrancy of the international community and aims to ensure that events such as this luncheon provide a platform to strengthen relationships across all international partnerships.”
TECO Deputy Director Jenny Tzeng told the Bureau that Taiwan has never been part of China, emphasizing that “Taiwan has been an important democratic partner of Canada, as highlighted in Canada’s 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy.” Tzeng pointed out, “We attend every event whenever we are able to,” but noted that Beijing lodges protests when it becomes aware of Taiwan's participation.
