Canada-People's Republic of China relations
Encyclopedia
Canada
–People's Republic of China
relations were established in 1970 after Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
recognized the People's Republic of China, becoming one of the first Western countries to recognize the PRC. Canada has deep cultural links with China being home to a large Chinese diaspora. Relations have generally been stable since relations were established. China is currently Canada's second largest trading partner and Canada is China's 13th largest. Although trade has grown fast during the 2000s, they are still thought to be below their potential.
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 each other in combat during the Korean War
. By 1970, however, China's split with the Soviet Union
and Canada's less pro-US stance led to a rapprochement
.
In 1968, the government of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau initiated negotiations with the People's Republic of China that lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 13, 1970. Canada and China established resident diplomatic missions in 1971. By 1971, the countries exchanged ambassadors, and Canadian Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce Jean-Luc Pepin
visited China. In 1972, Canadian Foreign Minister Mitchell Sharp
led a Canadian trade delegation to China and met with Premier Zhou Enlai
. Sharp also travelled to Shijiazhuang
where he recognized the significant contribution to Canada-China relations of Norman Bethune
.
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
. Governor General of Canada
Jeanne Sauvé
also conducted a state visit to China during her tenure. In 1985 as part of a growing concern for relations with China and Japan the Canadian Parliament passed an Act to create the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
, a think-tank focusing on Canada-Asia relations.
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
returned 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 Canada in 2005 and 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.
Under the new Conservative administration of Prime Minister Stephen Harper
, China-Canada relations began to deteriorate as Harper and his party took a harsh view of China. Harper has bluntly stated his belief in Canadian values such as human rights should not be trumped by the "almighty dollar". Ottawa then offended Beijing with a series 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 overtures toward Taiwan. Harper did not attend the opening ceremonies of Beijing Olympics. At the APEC Summit in November 2006, China appeared to initially backed out of meeting between Harper and the Chinese president in a move seen as a snub. Hu in the end chose to have a brief pull-aside meeting with Harper.
Amid the current global recession
and falling trade with the United States, Harper government
began to mend relations with China whose economic growth remains robust. Trade Minister Stockwell Day
, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
, and Transportation Minister John Baird
visited China in 2009. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made a well-received visit to Canada in June. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
led a high-profile delegation to China to enhance economic and financial ties. Prime Minister Harper visited China for the first time from December 2–6, 2009, visiting Beijing
, Shanghai
and Hong Kong
. Before a bilateral meeting with Harper in Beijing, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
suggested that too long has elapsed without a visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister. After the meetings, Hu Jintao, Wen and Harper decided to mend ties and rebuild stronger ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao paid an official state visit
to Canada from June 23 to 27, 2010, ahead of the G20 summit in Toronto. Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean
will visit China from June 30 to July 5, 2010 on a "friendship visit", accepting an invitation from China to attend Canada's national day at Expo 2010
in Shanghai
. She will also visit Guangdong
, Sichuan
and Beijing. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff
will also pay a working visit to Beijing and Shanghai from July 3 to 8, 2010.
and Japan
. China now accounts for approximately six percent of Canada's total world trade.
According to a recent study by the Fraser Institute (see reference), China replaced Japan as Canada's third-largest export market in 2007, with CA$
9.3 billion flowing into China in 2007. Between 1998 and 2007, exports to China grew by 272 percent, but only represented about 1.1 percent of China's total imports. In 2007, Canadian imports of Chinese products totaled C$38.3 billion.
Between 1998 and 2007, imports from China grew by almost 400 percent
Leading commodities in the trade between Canada and China include chemicals, metals, industrial and agricultural
machinery and equipment, wood products
, and fish products
.
According to the China Goes Global survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
, Canada is poised to accept more trade and investment from China as it is viewed by Chinese companies as being one of the most open countries to their investment.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
–People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
relations were established in 1970 after Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
recognized the People's Republic of China, becoming one of the first Western countries to recognize the PRC. Canada has deep cultural links with China being home to a large Chinese diaspora. Relations have generally been stable since relations were established. China is currently Canada's second largest trading partner and Canada is China's 13th largest. Although trade has grown fast during the 2000s, they are still thought to be below their potential.
History
After the founding of the PRC in 1949, both countries were opposite sides of an ideological standoff. CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
was united with other Western bloc
Western Bloc
The Western Bloc or Capitalist Bloc during the Cold War refers to the powers allied with the United States and NATO against the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact...
countries in refusing to recognize the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(PRC) as the legitimate government of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, instead dealing with the rival Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
based on Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. Canada and the PRC fought directly against each other in combat during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. By 1970, however, China's split with the Soviet Union
Sino-Soviet split
In political science, the term Sino–Soviet split denotes the worsening of political and ideologic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War...
and Canada's less pro-US stance led to a rapprochement
Rapprochement
In international relations, a rapprochement, which comes from the French word rapprocher , is a re-establishment of cordial relations, as between two countries...
.
In 1968, the government of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau initiated negotiations with the People's Republic of China that lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 13, 1970. Canada and China established resident diplomatic missions in 1971. By 1971, the countries exchanged ambassadors, and Canadian Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce Jean-Luc Pepin
Jean-Luc Pépin
Jean-Luc Pépin, PC, CC was a Canadian academic, politician and Cabinet minister.Pepin was a political science professor at the University of Ottawa when he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1963 election as a Liberal Member of Parliament from Quebec.From 1965 to 1972, he...
visited China. In 1972, Canadian Foreign Minister Mitchell Sharp
Mitchell Sharp
Mitchell William Sharp, PC, CC was a Canadian politician and a Companion of the Order of Canada, was most noted for his service as a Liberal Cabinet minister. He had, however, served in both private and public sectors during his long career.-Background:Sharp was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba...
led a Canadian trade delegation to China and met with Premier Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976...
. Sharp also travelled to Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
where he recognized the significant contribution to Canada-China relations of Norman Bethune
Norman Bethune
Henry Norman Bethune was a Canadian physician and medical innovator. Bethune is best known for his service in war time medical units during the Spanish Civil War and with the Communist Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
.
In 1973, Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
became the first Canadian Prime Minister to pay an official visit to the PRC, and in 1984 Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang was a high-ranking politician in the People's Republic of China . He was the third Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1980 to 1987, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1987 to 1989....
visited Canada, becoming the first Communist leader to address Parliament
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
. Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
also conducted a state visit to China during her tenure. In 1985 as part of a growing concern for relations with China and Japan the Canadian Parliament passed an Act to create the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.-Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada:...
, a think-tank focusing on Canada-Asia relations.
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
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
visited Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
with Team Canada
Team Canada (politics)
Team Canada Mission in Canadian politics is a public-relations mission led by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of International Trade along with the leaders of the provinces and territories of Canada....
: two ministers, nine provincial premiers, the territorial leaders and the head of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is a civic advocacy group representing many Canadian municipalities. It is an organization with no formal power but significant ability to influence debate and policy, as it is main national lobby group of mayors, councillors and other elected municipal...
. Chrétien and Premier Li Peng
Li Peng
Li Peng served as the fourth Premier of the People's Republic of China, between 1987 and 1998, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, from 1998 to 2003. For much of the 1990s Li was ranked second in the Communist Party of China ...
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
Minister of International Trade (Canada)
The Minister of International Trade is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet is the head of the federal government's international trade department and the provisions of treaties such as the North American Free Trade Agreement .The post was first established in 1983 as the Minister...
Art Eggleton
Art Eggleton
Arthur "Art" C. Eggleton, PC is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator representing Ontario.-City council:...
and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) Raymond Chan
Raymond Chan
Raymond Chan, PC , is the first Chinese Canadian to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, Chan was elected to Parliament in the 1993 federal election, defeating then Defence Minister Tom Siddon in the riding of Richmond, British Columbia...
visited Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
again in 1996 to attend the annual general meeting of the Canada-China Business Council, and Chrétien, Minister of International Trade Sergio Marchi
Sergio Marchi
Sergio Marchi, PC is a Canadian diplomat and former politician.Marchi was born in Argentina to an Italian family who subsequently emigrated to Canada...
, and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) Raymond Chan
Raymond Chan
Raymond Chan, PC , is the first Chinese Canadian to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, Chan was elected to Parliament in the 1993 federal election, defeating then Defence Minister Tom Siddon in the riding of Richmond, British Columbia...
visited Beijing and Lanzhou
Lanzhou
Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China. A prefecture-level city, it is a key regional transportation hub, allowing areas further west to maintain railroad connections to the eastern half of the country....
returned once more in 1998. In 1999 Premier Zhu Rongji
Zhu Rongji
Zhū Róngjī is a prominent Chinese politician who served as the Mayor and Party chief in Shanghai between 1987 and 1991, before serving as Vice-Premier and then the fifth Premier of the People's Republic of China from March 1998 to March 2003.A tough administrator, his time in office saw the...
visited Canada.
In 2001 Team Canada
Team Canada (politics)
Team Canada Mission in Canadian politics is a public-relations mission led by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of International Trade along with the leaders of the provinces and territories of Canada....
visited Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. 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
Pierre Pettigrew
Pierre Stewart Pettigrew, PC is a Canadian politician.Born in Quebec City, Pettigrew has a BA in Philosophy from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and an M.Phil in International Relations from Oxford University...
and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Rey Pagtakhan
Rey Pagtakhan
Rey D. Pagtakhan, PC is a Canadian physician, professor and politician. He was a cabinet minister in the governments of Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, and served as a member of parliament from 1988 until his defeat in the 2004 election....
. In 2003 Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
visited Canada. President Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
visited Canada in 2005 and met with Prime Minister Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
. 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.
Under the new Conservative administration of Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, China-Canada relations began to deteriorate as Harper and his party took a harsh view of China. Harper has bluntly stated his belief in Canadian values such as human rights should not be trumped by the "almighty dollar". Ottawa then offended Beijing with a series of moves, including awarding honorary Canadian citizenship
Honorary Canadian citizenship
Honorary Canadian citizenship is an honour wherein Canadian citizenship is bestowed by the Governor General of Canada, with the approval of parliament, on foreigners of exceptional merit...
to the Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
, criticizing China's human rights record, accusing it of commercial espionage, delaying a meeting between foreign ministers, and making overtures toward Taiwan. Harper did not attend the opening ceremonies of Beijing Olympics. At the APEC Summit in November 2006, China appeared to initially backed out of meeting between Harper and the Chinese president in a move seen as a snub. Hu in the end chose to have a brief pull-aside meeting with Harper.
Amid the current global recession
Global recession
A global recession is a period of global economic slowdown. The International Monetary Fund takes many factors into account when defining a global recession, but it states that global economic growth of 3 percent or less is "equivalent to a global recession".By this measure, four periods since...
and falling trade with the United States, Harper government
Foreign policy of the Harper government
The Conservative Party Government of Canada led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been involved in several ways overseas, particularly due to its role alongside the United States in the War against terror originated from the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S.-Relations with the United...
began to mend relations with China whose economic growth remains robust. Trade Minister Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon, PC is a Canadian politician from Quebec and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former Quebec lieutenant. On October 30, 2008 he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs...
, and Transportation Minister John Baird
John Baird (Canadian politician)
John Russell Baird, PC, MP is a Canadian politician currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper....
visited China in 2009. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made a well-received visit to Canada in June. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
Jim Flaherty
James Michael "Jim" Flaherty, PC, MP is Canada's Minister of Finance and he has also served as Ontario's Minister of Finance. From 1995 until 2005, he was the Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby—Ajax, and a member of the Progressive Conservative Party caucus...
led a high-profile delegation to China to enhance economic and financial ties. Prime Minister Harper visited China for the first time from December 2–6, 2009, visiting Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Before a bilateral meeting with Harper in Beijing, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
suggested that too long has elapsed without a visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister. After the meetings, Hu Jintao, Wen and Harper decided to mend ties and rebuild stronger ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao paid an official state visit
State visit
A state visit is a formal visit by a foreign head of state to another nation, at the invitation of that nation's head of state. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between two nations, and are marked by ceremonial pomp and diplomatic protocol. In parliamentary democracies, heads...
to Canada from June 23 to 27, 2010, ahead of the G20 summit in Toronto. Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
will visit China from June 30 to July 5, 2010 on a "friendship visit", accepting an invitation from China to attend Canada's national day at Expo 2010
Expo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It was a major World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions, the first since 1992...
in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. She will also visit Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
and Beijing. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff
Michael Ignatieff
Michael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
will also pay a working visit to Beijing and Shanghai from July 3 to 8, 2010.
Trade
Since 2003, China has emerged as Canada's second largest trading partner, passing BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. China now accounts for approximately six percent of Canada's total world trade.
According to a recent study by the Fraser Institute (see reference), China replaced Japan as Canada's third-largest export market in 2007, with CA$
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
9.3 billion flowing into China in 2007. Between 1998 and 2007, exports to China grew by 272 percent, but only represented about 1.1 percent of China's total imports. In 2007, Canadian imports of Chinese products totaled C$38.3 billion.
Between 1998 and 2007, imports from China grew by almost 400 percent
Leading commodities in the trade between Canada and China include chemicals, metals, industrial and agricultural
Agricultural machinery
Agricultural machinery is machinery used in the operation of an agricultural area or farm.-Hand tools:The first person to turn from the hunting and gathering lifestyle to farming probably did so by using his bare hands, and perhaps some sticks or stones. Tools such as knives, scythes, and wooden...
machinery and equipment, wood products
Wood processing
Wood processing is an engineering discipline comprising the production of forest products, such as pulp and paper, construction materials, and tall oil...
, and fish products
Fish products
Fish and fish products are consumed as food all over the world. With other seafoods, it provides the world's prime source of high-quality protein: 14–16 percent of the animal protein consumed worldwide...
.
According to the China Goes Global survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.-Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada:...
, Canada is poised to accept more trade and investment from China as it is viewed by Chinese companies as being one of the most open countries to their investment.
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, after Europeans and First Nations population. They are set to overtaking Koreans as the largest group of international students studying in Canada.See also
- Embassy of China in OttawaEmbassy of China in OttawaThe Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada is the embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ottawa, Canada. The PRC purchased the building at St. Patrick Street in 1972, soon after diplomatic relations were established between Canada and the PRC. The structure had been built by...
- 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
External links
- China's foreign ministry site on Canada
- Canadian government site on China
- Xinhua summary of Canada-China relations
- CBC summary of Canada-China relations
- Canadian International Council's report A Reassessment of Canada's Interests in China and Options for Renewal of Canada's China Policy
- Fraser Institute's report on Canada's economic relations with China
- The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada