President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has urged Canada to re-examine and hopefully remove its restrictions on visits by Taiwan's high-level officials.
Chen made the call while meeting a delegation of Canadian lawmakers at the Presidential Office yesterday morning.
As Taiwan is Canada's seventh-largest source of tourists, Chen said he hoped Ottawa would consider offering visa-free privileges to Taiwanese visitors.
Canada also ranks fourth on the list of favorite countries for advanced study for Taiwanese students. There are about 15,000 Taiwanese studying in Canada, a number that has increased by about 2,500 per year.
Chen said he hoped to sign a mutual assistance pact with the Canadian government to combat terrorism and international crime.
Despite the lack of official diplomatic relations, Chen said he was glad that the delegation was visiting to show their friendship, concern and support for Taiwan.
Chen thanked the Canadian parliament for its staunch support and the Canadian government for its concern for peace, security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as for its concern for the health of the Taiwanese people.
The Canadian parliament has passed six resolutions over the past four years in support of Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Assembly as an observer. Canadian Minister of Health Tony Clement spoke in favor of Taiwan's meaningful participation in the WHO after the voting process on May 14.
Ottawa has also expressed strong opposition to China's "Anti-Secession" Law.
As Taiwan enjoyed a US$2.2 billion trade surplus with Canada, the president said he was glad his administration has worked to balance the figures, including conditionally lifting the ban on imports of Canadian beef.
Chen said the decision was based on professional opinions and scientific appraisal. Taiwan is the fifth largest market for Canadian beef. Several Asian markets, including China, Japan and Taiwan, banned Canadian beef after a mad cow case surfaced in Canada in May 2003.
Chen said he would like to see the two countries work for better trade ties and economic cooperation based on the foundation of bilateral trade relations. Taiwan is Canada's 11th biggest trade partner in the world and the 4th in Asia. Bilateral trade was recorded at US$4.6 billion last year.
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