TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) thanked the Canadian Parliament for its long-time support for Taiwan on Tuesday.

Meeting with a Canadian parliamentary delegation led by MP Melissa Lantsman, Lai said he was deeply impressed that MPs have taken part in reports on Canada–Taiwan relations and made 18 recommendations supporting Taiwan, per the Presidential Office. They have also supported Taiwan’s international participation and worked to counter China’s distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, he said.

Lai said Taiwan and Canada have made significant progress over the past three years in trade and economic cooperation, technology, and maritime affairs. With AI reshaping economies, he said he hopes the two countries will continue strengthening economic and trade cooperation and that a bilateral trade cooperation framework agreement can be finalized soon.

Lai said Taiwan believes in peace and that there are no winners in war. He said his administration will seek to secure peace through strength and continue bolstering national defense.

Lantsman said the purpose of the delegation’s visit was to show Taiwanese people they have many friends in Canada’s Parliament. The delegation aims to listen and learn from Taiwan’s experience, she said, and better understand how Canada can continue supporting Taiwan while deepening cooperation in pragmatic and constructive ways.

She said Taiwan and Canada have opportunities to cooperate in areas including trade, energy security, supply-chain resilience, and advanced manufacturing. Taiwan should not be blocked from participating in international forums by the political veto of an authoritarian regime that fears transparency and freedom, she said.

The meeting comes after two members of the delegation, Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde, cut their Taiwan trip short and returned to Canada. “As this portion of the visit concludes, informed by advice from the government, we are returning home,” they said in a statement.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting China from Jan. 13 to 17 for trade and security talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other officials.