China’s ambassador to Canada makes what was always implicit in Beijing’s worldview explicit: Carney’s China deal is reversible the moment Canada acts like a sovereign middle power on Taiwan.

By Probe International

In a recent interview with The Globe and Mail, China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, warned Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new “strategic partnership”—reached in January 2026—would be damaged if Canada continues certain actions regarding Taiwan.

Describing the Taiwan issue as an uncrossable red line and core interest for China, Mr. Wang asserted there is “only one China” and Taiwan is an “inalienable” part of its territory. Canadian MPs and senators (who have official status) should not meet Taiwanese officials or visit Taiwan in ways that involve official engagements, as this would be “hurtful” to bilateral ties, said Mr. Wang. He emphasized that official interactions between China and Canada should only occur with the People’s Republic of China.

Turning to the Taiwan Strait, Mr. Wang said sending Canadian warships through the vital waterway constitutes “harassment” and even “provocation,” alleging it violated China’s “One China principle” and territorial integrity. (Note: Canada has conducted multiple transits in recent years, often with allies like the U.S. or Australia, framed by the West as freedom-of-navigation operations through international waters.)

Canadian MPs, especially Conservatives, showed defiance in the wake of Mr. Wang’s comments. Senate Opposition Leader Leo Housakos, Melissa Lantsman, and Erin O’Toole publicly supported continued visits to Taiwan and rejected the warnings as bullying. Lantsman stated: “You don’t bargain with bullies. Send more MPs. Send more ships.”

Taiwan’s representative to Canada, Harry Tseng, called the remarks “absurd” and counterproductive. He rejected the territorial claims under international law (Taiwan Strait transits are in international waters beyond territorial limits).