Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in China early today to begin his first official visit there.
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For both sides, the expectations around Trudeau’s week-long trip are high. On Friday, he described the trip as something of a “reset” in the relationship.
Trudeau said that strengthening the friendship and potential of the relationship between the two will open a new era in China’s engagement with the rest of the world.
Ahead of Trudeau’s visit, the Chinese government made an attempt to calm those fears.
A frank admission – and far more constructive than the finger-wagging lecture that a Chinese minister delivered three months ago to a Canadian reporter who dared to raise the touchy subject during a news conference in Ottawa.
Asked if he had raised human rights concerns and the case of a jailed Canadian, Trudeau said he’s “highlighted a number of consular cases” every time he’s had the opportunity to sit down with Chinese leaders.
“I think this poll suggests the Canadian public is taking a more nuanced approach to Asia”, she said in an interview.
However, the poll also revealed that fewer Canadians believe the human rights situation in China is improving.
“Any economic strategy that ignores China, or that treats that valuable relationship as anything less than critically important, is not just short-sighted, it’s irresponsible”, Trudeau said.
Canada is also seeking better cooperation on global issues such as climate change.
China says the standard is necessary to prevent the spread of blackleg disease from Canadian canola into Chinese crops of rapeseed, another name for the agricultural commodity.
This is the first official visit of Trudeau since taking office in November 2015.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chats with the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, during a signing ceremony for several tentative agreements in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
Trudeau’s weeklong visit will culminate in a Group of 20 economic summit meeting in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
During his trip to China, Trudeau will also visit Shanghai and Hong Kong and attend the G-20 summit in Hangzhou on September 4-5. He will also visit Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government discussed free trade with China, but chose instead to focus its energy on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Canada’s pact with Europe, says a former cabinet member.
China’s ambassador to Canada says his country has been making strides in addressing worldwide concerns.
All the while, he will have to navigate several ongoing irritants.
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“By supporting this institution that’s primarily initiated by China indicates that we’re trying to build trust that China will use this institution for the greater good in a liberal, internationalist way and not simply as a device to expand its geopolitical reach”, said Burton, a political scientist at Brock University. He called the current prime minister “the future of Canada” and “a miracle to me”.
