Share

Chinese premier arrives in Cuba for official visit

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Li announced Thursday an agreement to begin talks aimed at reaching a free-trade agreement.

Advertisement

Issues surrounding trade and Chinese criminal suspects have so-far dominated discussions as part of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s time in Canada following his arrival in Ottawa on Thursday.

A request by China for an extradition treaty with Canada, which Trudeau has agreed to consider, has ruffled opposition parties in Ottawa, however.

Chinese and Canadian firms have already signed deals worth more than a billion USA dollars earlier this month at the G20 in Hangzhou, covering everything from seafood to clean technology.

During the first visit by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic relations 56 years ago Li pledged to “inject a new dynamic in (bilateral) relations”, Cuban state media reported.

Trade and political observers see bilateral talks between Canada and China as a good opportunity, especially with the US signalling trouble with the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

“We know there is a huge amount of untapped potential in our commercial relationship”, Mr. Trudeau said a joint press conference in Canada’s main parliamentary building.

The controversy over the extradition treaty comes just days after Kevin Garratt, a Canadian held in China for two years and charged with spying, was deported to Canada. Beijing and Washington have no extradition treaty. According to Premier Li, more than 40 other countries including France and Australia have already signed such treaties.

He told reporters: “These back-to-back visits in less than a month shows that China-Canada relations are moving to a new stage”.

Mr Li acknowledged possible lapses, but said: “For those that engage in misconduct not consistent with legal procedures, they are breaking the law and they will be dealt with by law”.

Speaking with academics and business leaders on Tuesday at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, Li said China would continue to push for reforms such as streamlining administration, delegating more power and strengthening protection of intellectual property rights to create a better environment for foreign investors. He warned that if China that “if we abolish the death penalty, innocent people will lose their lives”.

Advertisement

He added that he can not promise 100 percent that every time people receive fully fair humanitarian treatment in Chinese jails but said when it is discovered they take it seriously. The official said negotiations take place when a solid agreement is in place, such as the ongoing Canada-Europe free-trade negotiations.

China And Canada Agree To Discuss Potential Extradition Treaty