Canadian media too powerful: envoy
OTTAWA — The Trudeau government should spend less time bowing down to Canadian journalists preoccupied with human rights and get on with negotiating an important free trade agreement with China, says the country’s ambassador.
Chinese ambassador Lu Shaye blamed the Canadian media for disseminating a negative portrait of his country that depicts it as an abuser of human rights and lacking democracy.
The envoy levelled the accusations during a lengthy interview at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa with The Canadian Press.
Lu’s remarks come as the Liberal government and the People’s Republic embark on a third round of exploratory talks this month aimed at determining whether the two countries should begin formal negotiations toward a free-trade agreement.
His comments underscore a major cleavage in how the two countries believe their differences over human rights should be addressed.
Canada says the issue is linked to economic engagement with China and wants it part of any formal trade pact.
China disagrees strongly, saying the two issues are not linked.
Lu offered a candid insight into how China views that difference of opinion: the diplomat blamed an ill-informed Canadian media for forcing the issue onto the agenda.
“I think the Canadian government is pressured by the media on this issue,” Lu said.
“I think that Canadian media is quite influential.”
Lu then interjected in English to stress that Canadian politicians sometimes have to “bow before media.”
He recommended the approach of his country’s ruling communist party as an efficient way of dealing with the media.
“The Chinese Communist Party and the government is good at listening to public opinion and also they do their part to lead and mobilize people for a common cause.”
Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent, a former journalist, called Lu’s remarks “outrageous” and said it should give the Trudeau government pause as it seeks to deepen economic co-operation with China.
“It sounded like a diatribe on the Chinese Communist Party’s conception of what the media is supposed to do on behalf of a government in imposing its will.”
Lu said when he arrived in Canada four months ago, his top priority was to deepen co-operation between the two countries.
Trudeau has also pledged not to shy away from engaging with China on the sensitive area.