Hard to stand up to China while bowing

Canada seems to be adopting a “see no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil” attitude on relations with China. The question is, to what end? Is it because of our overweening desire to win a two- year seat on the UN Security Council — a prize of dubious distinction given the unremarkable track record of the council in recent years that has featured more gridlock than action due to the chronic conflict between the veto- carrying Russia and China and most of the others. Should we win a seat, what would Canada do on a controversy which divides the two authoritarian powers from our allies — the U.S., the U.K. and France, among others? Abstain, a weaselly option used occasionally in the past by Canadian governments on biased resolutions directed at Israel?

We are presumably currying not only China’s vote but also China’s influence on several African states that have received generous dollops of economic assistance from Beijing. It is demeaning to wheedle this way for support in any circumstance.

The second motivation cited is that Canada does not want to jeopardize the fate of the two Michaels ( Kovrig and Spavor) who were essentially kidnapped and have held in stark detention for more than 500 days in retaliation for Canada’s intention to extradite to the U. S. Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the founder of Huawei, in accordance with the terms of our bilateral extradition treaty with the Americans.

The case of Madam Meng is puzzling on several counts. Why has the extradition process dragged on for more than 18 months? Has it been mishandled by the Justice Department or is it an example of “money justice” where those with substantial financial resources can frustrate and delay interminably a routine process? Meng’s guilt or innocence will be adjudicated by a U.S. court, which is where the case belongs. Instead, it has become a nagging irritant exposing Canada to thuggish retaliation by Chinese authorities. In addition to the unfounded detentions, Canada continues to suffer from arbitrary, discriminatory treatment of our agricultural exports to China.

Unlike most of our allies, most notably the U.S., Canada had been a unique apologist on the issue of China’s responsibility for the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Curiously, our health minister asserts absolute confidence in the quality of Chinese data and blatantly ignores concerns expressed by intelligence agencies and several of Canada’s western allies about China’s lengthy concealment and lack of transparency regarding reports that would have helped others cope with the virus. Equally, we are reluctant to join Australia, the U. S. and all 27 nations in the EU demanding an independent investigation of the WHO’S complicity with China. The WHO, backed by China, prefers an in- house investigation. Is that Canada’s position as well?

Former Canadian ambassador to China, David Mulroney stated, “Ottawa can’t seem to shake the tendency to flatter. … The facts argue that China was delinquent, that it was not transparent enough. That is not a conspiracy theory.”

According to a report in Reuters, the U. S. is “turbocharging” an initiative to remove global industrial supply chains from China. China hoarded key medical gear in a virtual monopoly and then profited handsomely from panic sales to desperate buyers. Because of shenanigans like that, the U. S. is pushing to create an alliance of “trusted partners” dubbed the “Economic Prosperity Network” and is working with Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam to move the initiative forward. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the goal is “to prevent something like this from happening again.” Canada was conspicuously not on the invitation list. Any guess why? This is an undertaking in which we should be front and centre. Recent experience demonstrates that we should be less dependent and more self- reliant in producing basic medical equipment. What is being done to stimulate such activity?

When China blatantly used the virus as a distraction to obscure its severe crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Canada’s foreign minister called meekly for “dialogue.” No one answered the call.

Taken together, the litany of apologies and obsequiousness by Canada regarding China is one that only a lickspittle would salute. It is as futile as it is demeaning. Standing up against a brazen bully can be difficult, especially when you are on your knees bowing.

Canada should take a much firmer stance on China on several fronts:

❚ ❚ Join our allies and assail China’s shoddy behaviour in concealing the first outbreak of COVID-19 for six weeks, thereby exposing the rest of the world unwittingly to the virus.

❚ ❚ Support fully those calling for an independent investigation of the WHO’S role in the pandemic.

❚ ❚ The minister of justice should use all the power of his office to obtain a speedy verdict on the extradition of Meng Wanzhou.

❚ ❚ Once the Meng extradition is resolved, summon the Chinese ambassador and give him an ultimatum demanding that the two Michaels be released within two weeks. Failing that, the ambassador will be declared persona non grata and expelled from Canada.

❚ ❚ Categorically suspend any future commercial arrangements with Huawei — a firm suspected by many of having poached patents from Nortel, once a proud Canadian telecom global champion.

❚ ❚ Join the U.S. initiative to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains and promote more manufacturing of key products in Canada.

❚ ❚ Systematically scrutinize activities of Chinese diplomats and students in Canada to curtail any espionage activity.

The Chinese government may, of course, retaliate. That is what bullies do when challenged. It may scornfully describe Canada, as it did Australia, as being “gum on China’s shoes.” But never forget China has a 3: 1 trade advantage over Canada ($ 75B in exports, $ 23B in imports.) It has more to lose in any form of tit- for- tat retaliation.

Kowtowing may be a tradition still practised in China, but it should be anathema to all Canadians. When confronting an arrogant regime like the one in Beijing today, Canada should display more Churchill and less Chamberlain.

take a much firmer stance on China on several fronts.