In a sign that Canada/China relations may be thawing, Canadian International Trade Minister David Emerson says the two countries are keen on strengthening their historic friendship.
However, in a teleconference Tuesday morning from Beijing Emerson made it clear that little progress has been made on the major stumbling blocks in doing business with China.
"I didn't actually come to sign business deals…my objectives were to see if I can break loose some of the issues that have been stalled when it comes to China," Emerson said.
Emerson spent two days in China as part of a five-day tour that also includes visits to Mongolia and Hong Kong.
Among the list of long-standing negotiations with China under review, Emerson cited the foreign investment and protection agreements, and China's "discriminatory policy" on tourism which he said has caused Canada economic damage through the loss of preferred status destination.
However, remaining unresolved are legal and regulatory issues as well as a lack of transparency and dispute settling mechanisms for Canadian companies doing business in China.
The issue of product safety— toxic toys, pet food, etc.—did not come up in the discussions, said Emerson.
But the minister's focus on trade and investment was no deterrent for journalists who peppered him with questions about Human Rights, democracy, rule of law, China's political and legal interference in Hong Kong and the high profile issue of the harvesting of the organs of prisoners of conscience.
Emerson admitted it was "very difficult to draw an assessment" of progress on these issues because "change is happening pretty slowly in China." Hong Kong, he said, is still "a stable environment" for Canadian companies.
"Our general approach on human rights and democracy is to operate on two tracks. We do make our views known, we're very open and candid with our views on human rights and democracy and rule of law…we do not think that has to necessarily get in the way of carrying on trade investment and building a strong commercial relationship."
On the issue of organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, Emerson said,
"We did not talk about organ harvesting; it was not on my agenda. I don't have any information to carry a pointed message to the Chinese."
Emerson's visit to Mongolia is the first by a senior Canadian minister in a decade, and Canada will appoint the first honorary counsel in Mongolia. Canada is the second largest investor in mineral-rich Mongolia.
According to a DFAIT press release, two-way trade in merchandise goods between Canada and China reached a record $42 billion in 2006, up 15 per cent over 2005, while two-way investment is estimated at $2.9 billion. The numbers for two way trade and investments in Hong Kong are $2.1 billion and $10 billion.
Besides trade investments, Emerson also focused on expanding two-way cargo and passenger services and preparations for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing in 2008 and in Vancouver in 2010.
Feeds