By Limin Zhou
A February 27 documentary screening in Ottawa spotlighted Taiwan’s 40-year transformation from diplomatic isolation to a global technology powerhouse. The event came as discussions on Parliament Hill intensified over Canada’s trade relationship with Beijing, and Taipei.
A Chip Odyssey traces Taiwan’s ambitious semiconductor initiative launched in the 1970s—once described as the “gamble of the century.” The effort began with 17 engineers sent to the United States for advanced training. That calculated risk ultimately laid the foundation for the island’s world-leading semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, which today underpins much of the global digital economy.
Taiwan’s Representative to Canada, Harry Tseng, emphasized that Taiwan’s success is rooted not in monopoly power, but in “trust, reliability, and professionalism.”
Canada’s “One-China” Balancing Act
The screening coincided with renewed debate over Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy. One day earlier, former diplomat Michael Kovrig testified before the House of Commons International Trade Committee, noting that Ottawa could deepen economic engagement with Taiwan within Canada’s existing foreign policy framework. His remarks followed a question from committee vice chair Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay regarding a potential trade agreement with Taiwan that is reportedly awaiting the prime minister’s signature.
“There is no reason why Canada should not be able to do those things,” Kovrig said, referring to the signing of trade agreement with Taiwan. “We should not accept a false dichotomy that Beijing would want to force on Canada, that we must choose between relations between China and Taiwan when we are talking about commercial agreements on trade and investment.”
During a post-screening discussion, Professor Scott Simon of the University of Ottawa clarified the nuances of Canada’s “One-China” policy. He noted that Canada “takes note” of Beijing’s territorial claims—language that neither recognizes nor endorses them—thereby preserving space for substantive commercial and democratic cooperation with Taiwan.
He noted that Taiwan’s existence serves as a powerful counter-narrative to the argument that democracy is incompatible with East Asian societies.
Professor Simon warned that an invasion of Taiwan would trigger an economic shock not seen since World War II. “Manufacturing would just really come nearly to a halt… you’re not going to get your cell phone fixed, or get a new car,” he said.