【09.12.2 The Global and Mail】A more sophisticated engagement with China

和解团结

【原文链接】http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-more-sophisticated-engagement-with-china/article1382180/
【作者】Charles Burton




【原文】
Associate professor of political science at Brock University


All the federal political parties agree that Canada's priorities with regard to China are, first, to promote our prosperity through trade and investment between the countries and, second, to encourage high-quality Chinese immigrants to move here.


We also want to collaborate with China in areas of concern such as fair trade, environmental sustainability, the spread of communicable diseases, respect for human rights, transnational crime and dozens of other issues that arise in a rapidly globalizing world. There is little room for partisan disagreement on any of this.


Moreover, people of all political stripes are concerned by reports of human-rights abuses in China. Canadians stand for freedom of expression, the right to religious and political freedom and the right to private property free from expropriation through corrupt deals. Even a "sensitive" political initiative such as extending honorary Canadian citizenship to the Dalai Lama was passed unanimously in the House of Commons.


Internationally, Beijing's support for repressive and dangerous regimes in Myanmar, Sudan, North Korea, Zimbabwe and other places is worrying, and Canada would like to persuade China of the benefits of becoming a more responsible citizen in the international community.


So whoever forms the next government in Ottawa will probably continue to respect Canada's fundamental interests in its relations with China. The main factor distinguishing the Liberals from the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc Québécois is in the area of human rights.


Liberals support the "quiet diplomacy" adopted by Jean Chrétien, who initiated a government-to-government secret dialogue on human rights in 1997. Beijing's standard response to Canadian concerns about human-rights abuses is that China hopes to eventually become democratic with an impartial and independent judiciary, but developmental and cultural factors make this impossible for the time being.


This line of argument wears thinner as the years go by and reports continue unabated of arbitrary arrest, torture and repression, including pervasive Internet censorship.
In 2006, the Conservatives suspended this dialogue because it was seen as ineffective in furthering human rights in China. An important consideration is the concern that Ottawa's approach may correlate to our realization of Canadian economic interests in China. If Canada is vocal on human rights, does this have a negative impact on our ability to sell Canadian products in China?


It is fair to conclude that "quiet diplomacy" with China has not benefited Canada economically. Over the decade since Ottawa began its annual secret dialogue with Beijing as the primary mode of engaging China over human-rights violations, the country's share of Chinese imports dropped by a third.


Our trade imbalance with China should be a major cause for concern. According to Industry Canada statistics, Canadian merchandise exports to China in 2008 amounted to $10.1-billion, but imports were valued at $42.6-billion. That's a huge trade deficit, about 4 to 1.


In sharp contrast, Australia had a ratio of 1.53 to 1 this year, thanks to 45-per-cent growth in its exports to China over the past year compared with only 19.5-per-cent growth in imports.


Moreover, according to a report in The Globe and Mail last month, 130,000 Chinese are studying in Australia, compared with 42,000 in Canada.


As Prime Minister Stephen Harper prepares to visit Beijing this week, we need a major reboot of the way Canada engages China. Most of the younger Chinese diplomats in Canada have near-fluency in English, and many have graduate degrees from universities in Canada, the United States, Australia or Britain. We need to be sending comparably qualified Canadians to China, preferably people who have done advanced study there. But we are not doing that.


We need to do a major government-led overhaul of how Canada does its trade promotion in China. We need much more sophisticated engagement in the Chinese political system in general.


Canada needs a clear strategy for better access to the Chinese market, one that factors in the distinct characteristics of Chinese culture and Canada's comparative advantage in that market vis-à-vis our competitors. China requires comprehensive engagement, and our approach must extend beyond conventional diplomatic channels.
For example, Ottawa should engage Chinese policy-makers in both the government and in the Communist Party, all of whose decisions have implications for our interests. The focus on China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation should be expanded to a more comprehensive engagement of the Chinese system. Canadian diplomats need to better recognize that many of the most influential players in the Chinese system are in Communist Party institutions.


Hopefully, with the Conservative government less preoccupied by the prospect of a general election than it has been in the past three years, more focus can be placed on foreign policy and the importance of Canada's being more effective in realizing its interests in China and elsewhere.
Bon voyage, Mr. Harper.


Charles Burton is research associate of the Canadian International Council, which has recently released his report A Reassessment of Canada's Interests in China and Options for Renewal of Canada's China Policy.

评论
William in Whistler
11/30/2009 12:00:03 PM
Another more sophisticated way to engage China is to lead with Canadain case studies on how corporate governance and social responsibilty works in various sectors. With the "opening up" of a market economy in China, emerging businesses and officials are curious about the business case and benefits of CSR. To the degree that Canadian companies are governed to minimize risk for shareholders and maximize benefits for stakeholders, we with the UK and Germany can better engage with many leaders in China.

PAX SINICA
11/30/2009 11:20:12 AM
What is the main problem with Canada's China policy? Is it lack of sophistication as the article suggested? I don't think so.
The main issue is that Canada is overly dependent on the US - complacency. Lack of sophistication and consistancy of policy is just the result of that.