I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number eight of the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship.
Pursuant to the order of reference of May 16, 2022, the committee is meeting on its study of the Canada-People's Republic of China Relations, with a focus on the Canada-Taiwan relations.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to take a few moments for the benefit of witnesses and members to pass along the following.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your microphone, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
For those on Zoom, you have the choice of interpretation, at the bottom of your screen, of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel. I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, when the time comes, if you wish to speak, you could raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as well as we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I understand that we have managed to do the sound check and that, at least for our first panel, we're in good shape.
That said, an old friend of mine used to describe skiing as a series of linked recoveries, and this is kind of our story here at the committee. We had originally intended and scheduled to have officials here for the first hour. At the very last minute, our officials were pulled away for a senior briefing and are not available to us, certainly not in person and certainly not virtually either. We have therefore adjusted the order of things.
With that, I understand there are a couple of things.
I'll recognize Mr. Chong first.