On Feb. 23, Ambassador Harry Tseng attended a lecture and concert event co-hosted by the Research Chair in Taiwan Studies and the Taiwanese Canadian Association of Ottawa (TCAO), at the Tabaret Chapel of the University of Ottawa.
The event opened with a stunning performance of Spiegel im Spiegel by violinist Sophia Pan, with piano accompaniment by TCAO President D Kai Ma. The music is dedicated to a tragic incident etched into the hearts of the Taiwanese people. The 228 incident was named after the day on which the worst political suppression took place in Taiwan’s modern history. 76 years after the tragedy, Taiwan continues to pursue transitional justice and remember the victims.
Ambassador Tseng was invited to present a lecture on Canada-Taiwan relations in a global context. He spoke about Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, how Taiwan appreciates the support of like-minded countries for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the importance of launching formal negotiations of a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement between Canada and Taiwan. At the end of the lecture, Ambassador Tseng answered several questions from the audience, highlighting Taiwan's technological prowess and optimism for membership in the CPTPP trading bloc with the support of Canada and other member countries.
Co-Chairs of the uOttawa Taiwan Studies Program, Professor Scott Simon and Professor Andre Laliberte, gave lectures respectively on "Indigenous Peoples and 228" and "Transnational Justice in Taiwan.
The event was a great success and showcased the strong ties between Canada and Taiwan.
