Recently, I accompanied the Prime Minister on official state visits to China, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Those visits were an opportunity for us to strengthen relations in an area of the world increasingly important to Canada’s political and economic interests.
Canada has long had diplomatic relations with China. In fact, we were one of the first countries in the world to recognize the People’s Republic of China in 1970, and next year marks the 40th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
China is Canada’s third largest export destination (after the U.S. and the U.K.) and is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world (its GDP will grow 8% this year, during a global recession). China’s economic growth is unparalleled in history (on current projections, China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s largest economy in the next few decades).
During the state visit, Prime Minister Steven Harper signalled that Canada will engage in a more robust relationship with China while remaining firm on communicating to the Chinese our concerns regarding human rights and the rule of law.
During our state visit a number of significant agreements were signed and the removal of certain trade barriers was negotiated.
Canada signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with China. The first concerns climate change. Canada and China will work together to address climate change, in areas such as energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, methane recovery and utilization, and sustainable land management.
The second MOU focuses on culture, and its purpose is to promote joint programs and exchanges in the performing and visual arts, festivals and exhibitions between Canada and China.
The third concentrates on natural resources, and its purpose is to promote greater cooperation between Canada and China in the area of natural resource development.
Finally, the fourth MOU addresses agriculture, and aims to promote greater cooperation in the field of agriculture.
We were also successful in negotiating a partial removal of the ban on Canadian pork, which the Chinese had put in place due to the H1N1 flu. China will now allow the import of pork, but regrettably, it continues to ban live swine imports. We will continue our efforts to convince the Chinese government to remove all trade restrictions on live swine, so we can create additional demand for Canadian pork farmers.
During our visit we announced the establishment of four new Canadian trade offices in China, to assist Canadian businesses who wish to business there. That makes Canada’s trade network in China one of our government’s largest anywhere in the world.
The agreements and negotiations highlight the depth and range of our shared interests with China, and the visit to China lays the foundation for even more extensive cooperation in the future.
After China, we visited Hong Kong, where 250,000 Canadians live and work, often for Canadian companies like Research in Motion, Royal Bank, and Sunlife.
In Hong Kong, we signed one agreement and successfully negotiated the resolution of one issue. Canada signed an MOU on youth mobility with Hong Kong, which will allow young people aged 18 to 30 from Canada and Hong Kong to travel and work in each other’s territory for up to one year. That will allow young people to gain an understanding of other cultures by living, working and travelling abroad. Canada currently has 20 bilateral arrangements in place with other countries that encourage youth mobility. This particular MOU will come into effect in 2010.
Hong Kong had previously enforced a ban on Canadian beef due to concerns about BSE (mad cow disease). We were able to successfully negotiate full access for the export of Canadian beef to Hong Kong. Achieving that to an important market such as Hong Kong sends a strong signal to the entire Asia-Pacific region that Canadian beef is safe and Canada’s food safety systems are grounded in sound science. This deal will expand trade so that our beef farmers can sell to more customers in the international market.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the trip was our visit to Sai Wan cemetery in Hong Kong, where hundreds of Canadians soldiers are buried. Nearly two thousand Canadian soldiers were sent to defend Hong Kong from the Japanese in December 1941. One in four died, and hundreds of them are buried in Sai Wan Cemetery.
The cenotaph ceremony was poignant and something I will never forget. Sai Wan cemetery is sacred ground for Canada and for Canadians like me. Those Canadians died defending my family in Hong Kong. We will never forget.
Finally, we undertook an official state visit to Seoul, South Korea. Canada has had a long relationship with that country. During the Korean War, Canada sent 26,971 military personnel to the Korean peninsula as part of a United Nations force and 516 Canadians died in that war.
The Prime Minister addressed the Korean National Assembly, the first Canadian Prime Minister to do so. In his speech, he reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to see a reunified Korea and the strengthening of the political and trade ties that have long bound Canada and Korea.
Pacific nations such as Canada, China, and South Korea have much to gain by increased cooperation. Canada has been dependent on trans-Atlantic trade, but as the centre of gravity of the world economy swings toward the Pacific, trans-Pacific trade will become increasingly important. These state visits will enhance and expand our political and economic relationships, build upon our mutual successes, and afford us the opportunity to set an example for others in the world.
It was an honour and privilege to be invited by the Prime Minister to represent Canada on the world stage. It is equally good to be back in Canada, my home and native land.
