What our next ambassador to China needs
Having secured the return of the “Two Michaels,” Canada’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Dominic Barton, is retiring. Given the tense nature of the Canada-China relationship in recent years, compounded by Canada joining the Olympic diplomatic boycott, our next ambassador must possess in abundance the knowledge and personality to nurture good relations.
Building a China-Canada rapport with a balance of trust should be our top concern. Only then would it be possible to broach issues such as trade, human rights and equal justice for all citizens.
China believes the West has much it should regret about its past behaviour toward China. Such issues include European triumphalism, the Opium War, treating the Chinese as slaves, treaties to impose settlements on China (Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau), and disproportionate trading practices. The West took from China silk, gunpowder and other inventions, and we reciprocated with socially destructive cigarettes, alcohol and opium.
China has experienced severe racism, along with gunboat diplomacy for foreign religions, without consideration to China’s own established Confucian philosophy.
As a result, China’s leadership is exceptionally sensitive to criticism. They harbour much anger because of past Western injustices and seize every opportunity to exact revenge and justify their national self-righteousness.
Psychologically, China has become insecure and nontrusting. There has been no process of acknowledgment and reconciliation by the West. The result is China’s attitude not to cooperate, deny the need for reform and refusal to discuss internal changes to the Chinese community,
Our next ambassador to China should be keenly aware of the West’s past mistakes and to redress them to present-day Communist leaders. This is the only way China will begin to trust us and move on to relate to us as thoughtful and understanding partners.
Our new ambassador’s required skill set could be likened to a seasoned family court lawyer with a balanced, collaboratively developed style. A qualified ambassador to China should be well-tuned to historical wrongs and have the ability and know-how to build trust in China’s leadership and then address new issues equitably.
The list of issues will continue to grow as our world progresses. With the proper skills, our ambassador could help strengthen China’s relationship with other powerful countries like Russia, the U.S. and the European Union.
I am confident that a Canadian ambassador who has earned China’s trust could help the two countries tackle all human opportunities before us, with the principles of equality and fair play. Between friends, one can only persuade, and certainly not dictate or demand.
We must defend Canadian interests to China with respect, mutual interest and fairness so that we may become “how pun yuo” — good and close friends. BORN IN HONG KONG, DR. JAMES LAM WAS A PHYSICIAN IN ORILLIA FOR 42 YEARS. FOR 20 YEARS, HE LED THE EDUCATION, MEDICAL