From Vancouver to Toronto, Taiwanese Canadians rallied this weekend to spotlight Taiwan’s global role. The annual TAIWANfest opened on Sunday in Vancouver, where Taiwanese Canadians across generations chanted the slogan “Let Taiwan Be Taiwan.” On the same day, Taiwanese Canadians in Toronto marched at City Hall to support Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

In Vancouver, TAIWANfest has been held for more than 30 years and was previously called the Taiwan Cultural Festival. Through music, arts, and markets, the event celebrates Taiwan’s diverse culture and resilient spirit. At the opening ceremony, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Vancouver Director General Angel Liu (劉立欣) underscored the importance of identity, noting Taiwan has long been forced to compete as “Chinese Taipei” in the Olympics. She said the island hopes to be recognized by its proper name internationally.

Overseas Taiwanese communities worldwide have long advocated Taiwan’s entry into ICAO. This year, the 80th United Nations General Assembly will be held in New York on September 9, followed by ICAO’s triennial assembly in Montreal on September 23. Taiwanese Canadians in Toronto chose to show their support with a downtown march.

Speaking before the march, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Toronto Director General Liang Yi-Peng (梁毅鵬) thanked attendees and stressed Taiwan’s importance as an East Asian hub. He said 70% of passengers connecting through Taiwan are foreign travelers, making aviation safety around Taiwan a global issue. Only with ICAO membership, he added, can Taiwan access vital information and adopt measures that benefit all countries equally.