Canada-People's Republic of China relations

Canada-People's Republic of China relations have been strong but tense since they were established in 1970.

History

Prior to 1970 both countries were opposite sides of a bitter ideological standoff. Canada was united with other Western bloc countries in refusing to recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the legitimate government of China, instead dealing with the rival Republic of China based on Taiwan. Canada and the PRC fought directly against either other in combat during the Korean War.

By 1970, however, China's split with the Soviet Union and Canada's less pro-US stance lead to a "rapprochement". By 1971 the countries exchanged ambassadors, and Canadian Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce Jean-Luc Pepin visited China.

In 1973 Pierre Trudeau became the first Canadian prime minister to pay an official visit to the PRC, and in 1984 Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang visited Canada, becoming the first Communist leader to address Parliament.

By 1990 two-way trade exceeded C$3 billion, and in 1992, C$4.6 billion.

In 1994 Canada established its four-pillar policy on China: economic partnership; sustainable development; human rights, good governance and the rule of law; and peace and security. That same year Prime Minister Jean Chrétien visited Beijing and Shanghai with Team Canada: two ministers, nine provincial premiers, the territorial leaders and the head of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Chrétien and Premier Li Peng signed a nuclear co-operation agreement and a letter of intent on six development projects in China.

The following year Premier Li Peng visited Canada to commemorate the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations and attended Canada-China Business Council annual general meeting in Montreal.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Minister of International Trade Art Eggleton and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) Raymond Chan visited Shanghai again in 1996 to attend the annual general meeting of the Canada-China Business Council, and Chrétien, Minister of International Trade Sergio Marchi, and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) Raymond Chan visited Beijing and Lanzhou retuned once more in 1998. In 1999 Premier Zhu Rongji visited Canada.

In 2001 Team Canada visited Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. It was the largest trade mission in Canadian history to that point. Chrétien was accompanied by close to 600 business participants, eight provincial premiers, three territorial leaders, Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Rey Pagtakhan. In 2003 Premier Wen Jiabao visited Canada.

President Hu Jintao visited in 2005 Canada met with Prime Minister Paul Martin. The two leaders announced a "strategic partnership" and said they would double trade within five years. Martin said he had discussions about human rights with Hu.

After Stephen Harper and his Conservatives won election in January 2006, the Canadian government cooled its relations with China. Ottawa offended Beijing with a number of moves, including awarding honorary Canadian citizenship to the Dalai Lama, criticizing China's human rights record, accusing it of commercial espionage, delaying a meeting between foreign ministers, and making favourable noises toward Taiwan. The Chinese ambassador to Canada said the two nations can "handle their differences" and build "mutual respect." However, in November 2006, China backed out of meeting between Harper and the Chinese president in a move widely seen as a snub. Beijing later said the meeting will go ahead.update

Trade

Since 2003, China has emerged as Canada's second largest trading partner, passing Britain and Japan. China now accounts for five percent of Canada's total world trade. [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-12/15/content_6323535.htm China becomes Canada's 2nd-largest trade partner ] ]

China was Canada's fourth-largest export market in 2004, with US$7 billion flowing into the country in 2004. Between 1998 and 2004, exports to China tripled, but only represented about 1.3 per cent of China's total imports. In 2004, Canadian imports of Chinese products totalled C$24.1 billion.

In 2006, imports from China were five times higher than 1997 figures and exports to China tripled.

Leading commodities in the trade between Canada and China include chemicals, metals, industrial and agricultural machinery and equipment, wood products, and fish products.

Migration

In recent decades China has consistently become Canada's largest source of immigration every year. The numbers are even larger when people from Hong Kong are added. Chinese Canadians are now one of Canada's largest ethnic groups.

ee also

* Embassy of China in Ottawa
* Embassy of Canada in Beijing
* List of Ambassadors from the People's Republic of China to Canada
* List of Canadian ambassadors to the People's Republic of China

References

Links

* [http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/bmdyzs/gjlb/3382/default.htm China's foreign ministry site on Canada]
* [http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/china-en.aspx Canadian government site on China]
* [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-09/08/content_3460759.htm Xinhua summary of Canada-China relations]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/china/china-canada-relations.html CBC summary of Canada-China relations]