Hopefully Trudeau’s upcoming China visit will restart practical Sino- Canadian cooperation
The memory of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s public rebuke of a Canadian journalist in June is still fresh, when Wang said that the reporter’s question on China’s human rights record was arrogant and full of prejudice.
Months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed “dissatisfaction” with China following Wang’s words, Canadian media is saying Trudeau hopes to restart the relationship with Beijing during his upcoming eight- day visit to China.
It is normal to see big powers like China and Canada embroiled in diplomatic spats and conflicts between the two nations are likely to occur again in the future, but this should not hinder efforts by the governments at enhancing cooperation in order to maximize their own benefits. To do otherwise, would go against the essence of international politics.
Recently, Chinese people were baffled when Canadian Broadcasting Corporation sports commentator Byron MacDonald made derogatory remarks about 14- year- old Chinese Olympic swimmer Ai Yanhan.
It will be a test on both sides’ political wisdom during Trudeau’s visit to put aside disputes and concentrate on boosting practical economic ties between the two countries.
A report in the Globe and Mail said ahead of the visit that Canada’s liberals feel that in order to boost Canada’s lackluster growth they need to catch up to other countries who have forged strong ties with China in recent years and are better positioned to sell goods and services to China’s growing middle class.
In this regard, we believe China is likely to show a positive attitude toward enhancing its economic cooperation with Canada and make an effort to further open its domestic market to Canadian enterprises, but Ottawa must stop getting mixed up in issues such as human rights.
Hopefully Trudeau’s forthcoming visit will get Sino- Canadian ties back on a practical track.
This visit comes at a time when China has seen a boom in outbound investment. Meanwhile, a report from Bloomberg earlier this year said Chinese investment in Canada had slipped to $ 1.5 billion in 2015, its lowest level since 2009.
Cooperation in several economic fields, including relaxing Canada’s foreign investment rules for China’s State- owned enterprises to attract more capital and spur Canada’s economic growth, may be at the top of the agenda for Trudeau’s China trip.
During his visit, Trudeau is expected to participate in the G20 leaders’ summit in Hangzhou. If Canada reviews its relations with China at the international arena, it may put pressure on other G20 members to also rethink strengthening their ties with China.