Taiwan's top diplomats in Canada spent five days in the Arctic Northwest Territories, a quiet win for Taiwan's push to build friendships where China has little reach.

• Taiwan's representative to Canada and its Vancouver office head toured Yellowknife and two Arctic towns, meeting local lawmakers and Indigenous leaders.
• Taiwanese tourists now make up 5% of visitors to the Northwest Territories, tied with South Korea as the second-biggest source after the United States.
• A China Airlines link-up with Air North last year made it easier for Taiwanese travelers to reach the northern lights, and the numbers keep climbing.
• Taiwan offered medical teams, farming and fishing help, and young teachers for math and science in remote Indigenous schools.
• Local leaders said they admire Taiwan's work reviving Indigenous culture and want youth exchanges between Inuit and Taiwanese young people.

Outlook: Expect follow-up talks on health, education, and technology cooperation, with tourism the main near-term driver.