National Post (National Edition)
Canada's days of `sunny ways' with China are over
In today's political environment, there is no “grey area” when it comes to dealings with China. Politicians are either tough on China or they're not — there is little appetite for nuance. Canada's Conservative leader has made his views clear and seizes every opportunity to advocate for a tougher stance against the Asian superpower. Indeed, Erin O'Toole frequently, but seemingly unsuccessfully, attempts to nudge the Trudeau government in a similar direction. For many Canadians, it's unclear where the government stands on China. If the government had a coherent policy framework for engagement, decision-making would be easier.
Media outlets have documented China's persecution of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the country's Xinjiang region, leading to accusations of genocide. Characterizing a country's actions as genocidal is not an allegation to be made lightly. However, several credible sources have expressed views that China's behaviour towards the Uyghurs does in fact fit the definition. The list of those supporting the allegations appears to be growing.
In various forms, the claim has been made by Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations. It has been documented in a House of Commons subcommittee report, and stated by the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary to the Justice Minister and Attorney General. Outgoing U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo also made this declaration, and his successor, Antony Blinken, agreed with this assessment during his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing. Yet, our prime minister remains unconvinced.
Justin Trudeau continues to receive immense pressure to label China's actions as a genocide, and the pressure will intensify with an upcoming House of Commons vote on the matter. According to O'Toole, that label should be followed by calling for a relocation of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. It is reasonable to expect the Canadian government to gather adequate information before making such a strong declaration, but the government's stall tactics on any decision concerning China is perplexing. Unquestionably, there are geopolitics to consider, along with the obvious fact that China is an economic superpower, while Canada is not. If it so chooses, the Chinese government could inflict significant damage on the Canadian economy and has demonstrated its willingness to use economic coercion. There is little doubt that when it comes to China policy, generally, Prime Minister Trudeau is worried about retribution. Articulating a clear approach toward the Asian giant, however, would make many of Canada's policy decisions easier.
Throughout 2020, the Liberals promised to review Canada's bilateral relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Toward the end of the year, statements made by select cabinet ministers signalled a more assertive posture was imminent as the government prepared to unveil its new approach toward the PRC. At the same time, public opinion polls demonstrated Canadians' increasingly sour view of China — particularly in the context of the arbitrary detention of the “Two Michaels.” Mounting public pressure, along with O'Toole's “tough on China” approach, motivated the Liberals to seek a recalibration of the government's China policy. Canadians expected a tougher stance, but instead they received babble from Canada's foreign affairs minister.
This government's approach is consistently non-committal, except in its commitment to continually “review” aspects of Canada's bilateral relations with China. It appears no action taken by the Chinese Communist Party is too egregious to warrant a strong Canadian rebuke, even in multilateral settings where Canada is surrounded by like-minded states. Take, for instance, the recent announcement to denounce arbitrary detentions in state-to-state relations.
Even for the most casual observer of international politics it is strikingly clear who was being targeted here. Yet, Canada refused to call China by name.
Our current government's inability to articulate a new posture in dealings with China has resulted in the Liberals stumbling over seemingly no-brainer policy responses. With a clear, coherent policy on Canada's bilateral engagement with China, decisions such as whether to ban Huawei from Canada's 5G infrastructure, the future of Canada's participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and whether Canada should advocate to relocate the 2022 Winter Olympics, among other things, would be much easier because, as a country, we've decided how we want to engage with the PRC. It seems like the Liberals are still holding out for a return to “business as usual” and future “sunny ways” with China, but those days are over.
WHEN IT COMES TO CHINA POLICY, GENERALLY, TRUDEAU IS WORRIED ABOUT RETRIBUTION.
IT'S UNCLEAR WHERE THE GOVERNMENT STANDS ON CHINA. — SHAKIR CHAMBERS