Monday, November 11, 2013

My Take on Justin Trudeau's Recent Comments on China

Justin Trudeau's recent comments on China regardless of how ill-considered they may have been, do reflect the fact that the Liberal Party of Canada has a vision of Canada's relations with China that is quite distinct from the Canadian consensus reflected in the China policies of the NDP and Conservatives.  Since Pierre Trudeau's meeting with Chairman Mao in 1973 through to Jean Chretien's policy of quiet diplomacy with regard to China's gross violations of universal human rights norms, the Liberals have tended to favor the interests of Canadian companies with extensive connections to Chinese Communist business networks over the the overwhelming opinion of most Canadians that the Government of Canada should speak out clearly in defense of Chinese citizens who have been unjustly treated by the Chinese regime simply for standing up for their political and civil rights.  The NDP and the Conservatives have been much more willing to incur the wrath of the Chinese government by demanding explanations for the imprisonment without due process and pervasive reports of torture of human rights defenders, Falun Gong practitioners, and  Tibetans, and Uyghurs denied their language, religious and cultural rights.  The Liberals have traditionally been more friendly to the Chinese Communist leadership.  Justin Trudeau's comments are consistent with the unspoken reality of his Party's stance on the Chinese regime.

Document 9: A ChinaFile Translation | ChinaFile

I had had a notion to translate this myself and post when I "have time" to do it  I am surprised the English language version did not come out sooner.  Anyway this document is definitely worth a read in English by those who cannot read Chinese

Document 9: A ChinaFile Translation | ChinaFile

"Introduction
Since the Party’s Eighteenth National Congress, under General Secretary Xi Jinping’s strong central leadership, the nation triumphantly convened the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Party’s and nation’s various undertakings have made a good start, and the general mood of the Party and Government has been constantly improving. Cohesion among our nation’s people has become stronger and our confidence in our path, our theory, and our system has become more resolute. Mainstream ideology is becoming healthier and more vigorous. The spirit of the Party’s Eighteenth National Congress and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches have unified the thought of the entire Party, the entire country, and the entire people enormously. The ideological foundation of our united struggle is unceasingly solidifying."