As October 13th marks the 40th anniversary of Canada establishing relations with China, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae made the following statement yesterday:
“With Canada’s loss of its security council seat on Tuesday, perhaps there is no better time to be reminded of the forward looking, leadership role Canada once played on the international stage. Under Pierre Trudeau’s leadership, we blazed a trail for other nations to follow, with our compass points squarely set on China.
“October 13th marks that moment of great promise in our country’s history. We should take this opportunity to reflect upon how we can truly realize the potential our engagement with China could still achieve for Canadians, as well as our loved ones, friends and trading partners in China.”
Liberal International Trade Critic Martha Hall Findlay added:
“We are all very proud that Canada was among the very first to establish diplomatic relations with China–a full 2 years before US President Nixon ventured there. Our task now is to build even more on that strong relationship.
“China is now Canada’s second largest trading partner. And the extraordinary opportunities for Canada, given China’s population of 1.3 billion, and its surging, transformational economy, now extend to far more than traditional trade and commerce – China can and should be a key component of Canada’s ‘global networks’, encompassing engagement in fields such as education, environmental sustainability, health care, health promotion, arts and culture.”
Liberal Citizenship and Immigration Critic Justin Trudeau also commented on the anniversary and the legacy of his father’s initiative:
“I feel a sense of great pride when I am reminded of my father’s vision for Canada-China relations, especially when we look back and realize what a daring step this openness to Beijing was.
“The criticism from the United States was particularly pointed until, of course the Nixon government followed in our footsteps.
“However, on this fortieth anniversary, I would prefer not to be nostalgic. I don’t think my father would be either today.
“We have a challenge to be as forward thinking and as actively engaged with China as we were just four decades ago. A Liberal government will take up that challenge and fulfill that promise for this generation and the generations to come.”
