By Nick Kaminsky
Commentary
Just last week, Conservative MP John Baird returned from a critical diplomatic trip to China in his new portfolio as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Upon his return, Baird declared that better relations had been forged and that the two countries had formed a “strategic partnership”.
While improving relations with the emerging Asian power will undoubtedly serve strategic Canadian economic interests, it raises an intriguing question: is Canada turning a blind eye to China’s appalling human rights record for our economic benefit?
With the global economic recovery progressing at a snail’s pace, the Harper government is wise to attempt to diversify destinations for Canadian exports. With the American economy stuck in
dire straits, Canada can no longer
afford to concentrate so heavily on trading with our neighbours south of the border.
In China, the Harper government has officially opened the door to the world’s fastest growing economy and a nation with immense purchasing power. In 2010, Chinese natural resource corporations invested $14 billion in Canadian industry and the “strategic partnership” only increases the prospects for more significant foreign investment and bilateral trade. In fact, in 2011 thus far, British Columbian softwood lumber exports to China actually eclipsed those to the United States, while affluent Chinese investment firm, China Investment Corporation, recently announced it would establish its first international bureau in Canada.
On the other hand, China’s list of human rights violations is troublesome. According to Amnesty International, China is holding a half-million political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo who was jailed for publishing a document on political reform. International watchdogs accuse its legal system of being inaccessible and minorities, like the Tibetans, Mongolians, and Muslims, are notoriously oppressed.
What is worse, despite intense international pressure, China remains the leading executioner of capital punishment in the world.
Critics argue that the Harper government is conducting itself in a wilfully blind manner regarding China’s awful human rights history in order to globalize the federation’s economic ties
and increase exports. They may have a point.
In 2006, human rights were the centrepiece of Harper’s Conservative minority government’s Chinese foreign-policy. Fast-forward five years and an economic recession later and the Conservatives have arguably flip-flopped on those concerns.
In response to criticisms, Baird stated, “Obviously we have substantial disagreements on some files with our counterparts, and we’ve taken the opportunity during this visit to raise those.”
Yet, the validity of such comments is suspect, particularly after our government supported the ordered extradition of Chinese fugitive Lai Changxiang back to his homeland. While Chinese officials are celebrating, legal experts and human rights organizations fear Changxiang will be tortured, given an unfair trial and be sentenced to death.
Thus, it appears the Government of Canada is conducting “dollar diplomacy”, emphasizing a “what is good for business is good for Canada” political attitude towards China.
From an economic perspective, it is difficult to disagree with the Conservatives’ approach as the Sino-Canadian “strategic partnership” should only strengthen the potential for increased bilateral trade with the world’s fastest growing market. However, I ask the question: is it the right move if it comes at the expense of fighting for human rights? More importantly, does this policy contradict Canadian values such as: freedom, equality and justice?
I will let you make that decision.
Nick Kaminsky is a fourth-year student of political studies at the University of Prince-Edward Island.
