Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Dr. Simon, for being here with us tonight.
You said in your remarks—and I think you're correct in your understanding—that “Canada's first interest is a peaceful, free and open Indo-Pacific.” I think that would be our goal. You also talked about ways to “reinforce”—or perhaps re-establish, unfortunately—“the peaceful status quo”. That goal is in your remarks and is the Canadian goal as well.
A recent witness at our committee, David Wright from the University of Calgary, said, “[S]ome of the steps that democratic countries”—and I would add some opposition party members—“wish to take towards protecting Taiwan's democracy may in fact achieve just the opposite result.” He added, “Maybe doing the right thing is more a matter of not doing the wrong thing.”
I want you to work with me a bit on that because we've had this system where we've attempted to neither endorse nor challenge the People's Republic of China's attitudes or actions with respect to Taiwan. They're pushing us. Some people have a response to push back. I worry at times that this could cause more danger for the people of Taiwan. Finding that balance of pushing without endangering would be my goal.
Could you help me a bit with that?