Canada's new representative to Taiwan hailed Thursday the sound relations between the two countries and expressed his hope for increased bilateral exchanges. Gordon Houlden made the remarks during a meeting with the local press.

Claiming that the "one China" policy upheld by Canada has not affected his country's frequent exchanges with Taiwan since Ottawa shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1970, Houlden called for widened and upgraded Taiwan-Canada exchanges in education, culture and economics.

In particular, he invited more Taiwan students to study in Canada, saying that universities in Canada offer the world's top learning environment coupled with low tuition fees. Taiwan was Canada's 11th-largest trading partner last year, with two-way trade totaling US$3.2 billion.

Source: CNA News