PM doesn't shy away from human rights in China

PM doesn't shy away from human rights in China

CTV News Video
CTV News: Robert Fife in Shanghai

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech to Chinese business leaders in Shanghai focused mainly on promoting investment in Canada's energy industries. The speech also touched on China's human rights issues.
Power Play: Warren Kinsella and Tim Powers

A Liberal strategist says Harper's trip to China is not going very well because Canada has had China in the 'deep freeze' over the last four years, while a Conservative strategist says Harper has not shied away from human rights talks.
Canada AM: Elliot Tepper, Carleton University
A politics professor explains why with diplomatic scolding behind them, China's leaders are sending signals it now considers perceived slights by Canada a thing of the past with the hope the two countries can re-establish mutual trust.
Power Play: PM scolded by Chinese officials
Former Conservative foreign affairs minister David Emerson and former Canadian ambassador to the EU Jeremy Kinsman discuss the importance of Canadian-Chinese relations.
Power Play: MPs discuss Harper's visit
NDP MP Paul Dewar, Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy and Liberal MP Scott Brison talk about whether or not Prime Minister Stephen Harper's trip to China has been a success so far.
CTV News Channel: Paul Evans, University of B.C.
The director of UBC's Institute of Asian Research explains why the chiding of Prime Minister Stephen Harper by Chinese officials was to be expected.
CTV News Channel: Pierre Pettigrew
A former foreign affairs minister reacts to Harper being publically shamed for waiting too long to make his high-profile trip to China.
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes a speech at the Canada-China Business Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, China on Friday, December 4, 2009. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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In Pictures: Harper in China
CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Fri. Dec. 4 2009 7:11 PM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper received silence from Chinese business leaders when he told them Canada would continue to bring up human rights issues and not stay quiet in exchange for stronger economic ties between the two countries.

"In relations between China and Canada, we will continue to raise issues of freedom and human rights," he in a speech in Shanghai Friday.

"Our government believes and has always believed that a mutually-beneficial economic relationship is not incompatible with a good and frank dialogue on fundamental values like freedom, human rights and the rule of law," Harper said.

This part of the speech, part of Harper's first-ever visit to China, was greeted with silence from the businessmen, who had applauded his earlier focus on trade progress and an announcement Canada would open up four new trade consulates.

Former Conservative MP John Reynolds, now a businessman who spends three months a year in China, told The Canadian Press that the Chinese would not be put off by the comments.

"They understand Canada is a friend, they understand we have resources they need and that we can do business both ways," he said.

"Every country says that (about human rights). Fact is, trade has not suffered and this visit will be like a rocket shot to everybody."

NDP leader Jack Layton said Harper should not lecture China on its human rights record, considering the questions raised over whether Canada transferred prisoners to Afghan authorities where they were tortured.

"I think you always have to be careful when you live in a glass house when it comes to throwing stones," Layton told reporters in Winnipeg Friday.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Harper should have visited China earlier, saying the prime minister has a lot of "repair work" to do on Canada's relationship with China.

"We've all had a wake up call in Canada about how important China is and Mr. Harper has taken a very long time to wake up," Ignatieff said.

In the rest of his speech, Harper said Canada and China both have much to gain from a stronger economic partnership, especially in the energy business.

He told the business leaders that Canada is rich in oil, natural gas and uranium that China can use to fuel its own economic growth.

He also said Canadian businesses can help China shift toward green energy.

He told the leaders that investing in Canada is good business, because of falling taxes and low government debt.

Earlier in the day, Harper met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday and trumpeted several diplomatic victories, despite a couple of awkward moments.

Harper, who is travelling with his with Laureen, was scolded by Wen for the fact that five years have passed since a Canadian prime minister has visited China.

Wen later gave Chinese media and a TV station interviews where he blamed the Harper government for the damaged relations.

"We are reluctant to see Canada alienate us in recent years," Wen was quoted as saying by the official China Daily. "That has hampered our trade and personal exchanges."

"I hope the visit can solve the problem of mutual trust."

In return, Harper noted that no Chinese leader had visited Canada over the same period of time.

Despite Wen's upbraiding, Harper managed to achieve Canada's longstanding desire for approved destination status from Beijing -- a shift that is expected to substantially boost Chinese tourism to Canada. He also achieved several other small victories, such as the lifting of the Chinese ban on Canadian pork products.

Canada-China relations have been tense in recent years. Beijing has also been frustrated by Ottawa's complaints about the treatment of Uygher-Canadian dissident Huseyin Celil.

Official newspapers say Harper slighted the Chinese government by refusing to attend the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in addition to embracing the Dalai Lama's criticism of the treatment of people in Tibet.

The China Daily did acknowledge that Harper was making headway in trying to "warm up cool to icy ties."