History
Canada and the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed a joint communiqué marking the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 13, 1970. In the text, Canada recognises the PRC government as the "sole legal government of China" and "takes note" of China's position that Taiwan is an "inalienable part of the territory" of the PRC. The language of the communiqué does not indicate active Canadian assent to the PRC's claim to Taiwan. However, given the stance of the PRC government that countries with which it has diplomatic relations refrain from official relations with the Republic of China, Canada deals with Taiwan in an "unofficial" manner. Thus, Canada does not have an Embassy or Consulate General/Consulate in Taiwan, but instead has an officially unofficial "trade office."
The CTOT started operations on November 28, 1986. Staff were initially drawn from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, but the CTOT is now fully funded by the Government of Canada and staffed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Despite its name, the CTOT does not differ from any other Canadian overseas mission. The CTOT does everything from issuing Canadian passports and providing consular services, to promoting trade and investment cooperation and cultural/educational exchanges. In addition, there are also provincial representatives from the Governments of Alberta and Quebec.
The ROC, likewise, is represented in Canada by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, which has established offices in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has operated non-governmental trade offices in Canada since the creation of the Far East Trade Services in Montreal in 1970.
Read more about this topic: Canadian Trade Office In Taipei
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