China With respect to China, first and foremost, Conservatives celebrate the contributions of Chinese Canadians – many of whom came here precisely to leave behind the political system they face at home. We recognize that the government of China does not represent its people – that is, in fact, the precise problem. We should engage with the Chinese government, but engage in a way that seeks to advance our values and our interests. We should engage in a way that recognizes how our values and our interests are in many respects wholly incompatible with those of China’s government. For decades now many in Canada have looked to China as a way of diversifying our export markets. But in recent years it has become clear that China’s adversarial approach to Canada and the western, democratic world has changed those expectations. This is deeply disappointing, especially when you consider how just 20 years ago there was great hope and optimism that China was ready to join the international, rules-based order. In the past year, Canadians in particular have learned first-hand how justice in China works. The Meng Wanzhou extradition case has caused much grief in many ways but has been illuminating in others. After the arbitrary detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor we should no longer harbour any illusions about China’s attitude towards the rule of law. We have known all of this for some time yet for many years we looked the other way as the allure of China’s market was too powerful to ignore. However, so long as China is willing to hold our exports hostage, all while committing human rights violations on an industrial scale, we have no choice as Canadians but to consider other trade partners. And fortunately, we have alternatives. Like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific region, for example, some of which desperately need more secure access to energy, are ideal economic and political partners for Canada. A community of free democracies all over the world – in Europe, in the Indo-Pacific, and everywhere in between, united to resist the forces of authoritarianism, built through Canadian leadership. That should be our goal. That would have a deeply consequential impact on global history. At any rate, Canada’s relationship with China needs a total reset. Nothing can happen until such time. |
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