Close X
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
ADVT 
International

Trudeau Uses Shanghai Stage To Offer Public Critique Of China On Human Rights

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Sep, 2016 11:52 AM
  • Trudeau Uses Shanghai Stage To Offer Public Critique Of China On Human Rights
SHANGHAI — Justin Trudeau set his sights squarely on China's human rights record Thursday, painting Canada as a straight-talking champion of personal freedoms as he lectured an elite business crowd on the value of good governance and free expression.
 
The prime minister's direct remarks came during week-long official visit to China aimed at forging deeper commercial and cultural bonds between the two countries.
 
Building closer economic ties will make it easier for China and Canada to speak frankly about governance, human rights and the rule of law, Trudeau told several hundred people at an event hosted by the Canada China Business Council.
 
"I remind everyone that as a country that has seen first hand the benefits of free expression and good governance — Canada encourages China to do more to promote and protect human rights," he said in his 22-minute speech.
 
"In the global village, we all have stake in what happens here.
 
"The success of the world is inexorably linked to China's success, and I know that these are not easy conversations to have, but they are necessary ones."
 
Trudeau also said that freedom of expression is a "true Canadian value" protected by the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
 
He noted that he told both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in meetings this week in Beijing that accepting a diversity of perspectives will strengthen China, just like it has in Canada.
 
Trudeau even went so far as to broach the subject of gender equality.
 
 
"See, we're Canadians — we travel with our values and we don't hesitate to share them whenever and wherever we see opportunities," he said before glancing purposefully at the table in front of the stage.
 
"And actually, there's an opportunity here tonight — gentlemen, it's 2016. We need more women at this head table."
 
It's not the first time a Canadian prime minister has spoken bluntly while in China about the ever-present issue of that country's human rights record. During a landmark 1998 visit, Chretien told students at Beijing University that Canadians find it disturbing to "hear of people being harassed or imprisoned for expressing political views different from the government."
 
In the past, the Chinese leadership has not taken kindly to public criticism of its human rights record, particularly from western countries.
 
On Tuesday, with Trudeau's face gracing newspaper front pages, the state-run Xinhua news agency scolded Canada for allowing "groundless" human rights concerns to hinder what could be a productive relationship with China.
 
It also urged Canada to look within its borders at its own reputation on the treatment of Aboriginal Peoples, some of whom live in "miserable conditions." The item added the "so-called human rights issue" comes from the "West's long-standing prejudice and arrogance against China."
 
 
On Wednesday, Canada's ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, said the country has been moving backwards over the past three years when it comes to personal freedoms, particularly its censorship of the Internet.
 
"That's why Canada has used opportunities to express its views to China," Saint-Jacques said.
 
Trudeau's speech also discussed the vast economic potential for both countries across numerous traditional industries like natural resources, but also in newer sectors like clean technology.
 
"We know that when we do build strong and resilient relationships, when we give Canadian businesses more opportunities to succeed — they will succeed," he said.
 
"That means more better paying jobs for Canadians — and when Canadian companies partner with Chinese companies, it means more and better-paying jobs here in China as well."
 
Earlier Thursday, the Trudeau government announced that Canadian and Chinese companies had signed 56 new commercial contracts and agreements worth $1.2 billion.
 
Ottawa also said it would open seven additional visa application centres in China to help serve a growing number of Chinese tourists who would like to visit Canada.
 
Boosting tourism is also part of the government's plan to build a closer link to China, which has the world's second-largest economy and an expanding middle class.
 
The Canadian envoy to China said Thursday that until now, visa offices for Chinese tourists were limited to cities where Canada has a diplomatic presence.
 
 
"This is an important element that Prime Minister Trudeau is promoting in his visit to China," said Guy Saint-Jacques, who joined Trudeau at the Great Wall of China for an announcement that the countries would co-operate on the development of Chinese national parks.
 
Chinese tourist travel to Canada rose 24 per cent in the first six months of this year, Saint-Jacques said. He noted that now only Americans and Brits visit Canada more than the Chinese.
 
After the national parks announcement, Trudeau explored a section of the Great Wall with his wife Sophie Gregoire and their daughter, Ella-Grace.
 
The portion of the Wall they walked was temporarily closed to the public — providing them with a peaceful section to stroll, away from the usual hordes of visitors.
 
Trudeau also met Thursday with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
 
On Friday, the prime minister will hold an event at a high school with former NBA basketball star Yao Ming, meet with executives of Fosun Group and Cirque du Soleil and participate in a roundtable with women entrepreneurs.

MORE International ARTICLES

I'm best suited as basketball commissioner: US president Obama

I'm best suited as basketball commissioner: US president Obama
In an interview to GQ India magazine's February 2016 edition, Obama was asked: "Baseball, football, basketball, all the commissioner jobs open up next year. Which one would you want?"

I'm best suited as basketball commissioner: US president Obama

Indian-American Couple Gifts $3.5 Million For Sanskrit Studies At University Of Chicago

Indian-American Couple Gifts $3.5 Million For Sanskrit Studies At  University Of Chicago
The Anupama and Guru Ramakrishnan Professorship in Sanskrit studies supports a faculty member whose work focuses on the ancient classical language, according to a university announcement

Indian-American Couple Gifts $3.5 Million For Sanskrit Studies At University Of Chicago

What Are You Going To Do About All This Bullying: Kids Ask Hillary Clinton The Darndest Things

What Are You Going To Do About All This Bullying: Kids Ask Hillary Clinton The Darndest Things
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hillary Clinton is used to tough questions, but a recent query from a little girl actually moved her.

What Are You Going To Do About All This Bullying: Kids Ask Hillary Clinton The Darndest Things

White House Declines Comment On Case Of Beant Singh's Assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara

White House Declines Comment On Case Of Beant Singh's Assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara
The White House responds to "We the People" petitions filed on its website once it reaches a threshold of 100,000 signatures. The petition initiated by New York based "Sikhs For Justice" (SFJ) in November 2015 urging "the President to seek release of Jathedar Hawara from India," gathered 106,320 signatures.

White House Declines Comment On Case Of Beant Singh's Assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara

Hillary Clinton Gets New York Times's Endorsement For Presidential Bid

Hillary Clinton Gets New York Times's Endorsement For Presidential Bid
The Times editorial board endorses Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, the paper said in an opinion piece.

Hillary Clinton Gets New York Times's Endorsement For Presidential Bid

Pathankot Attack Disturbed Pakistan, India Talks: Nawaz Sharif

Pathankot Attack Disturbed Pakistan, India Talks: Nawaz Sharif
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the terror attack on an Indian Air Force base in Indian Punjab's Pathankot town disturbed the peace process between Pakistan and India

Pathankot Attack Disturbed Pakistan, India Talks: Nawaz Sharif