Trudeau visits China: 6 things to watch
How warm a welcome?
When Stephen Harper first went to China in 2009, the prime minister received a frosty reception and was famously chastised by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao for not visiting sooner.
And that was when journalists were still in the room.
A senior official quipped afterwards that the reception was so frosty, icicles nearly formed on the mirrors in the room at the Great Hall of the People.
By all accounts, Trudeau should receive a much different welcome.
"The name Trudeau is almost as good as being [revered Canadian doctor Norman] Bethune, because it was, after all, Pierre Trudeau who took the step to recognize China in 1971," said former diplomat Colin Robertson, who at one point was posted in Hong Kong.
Robertson noted Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping also have something in common: they are both sons of famous fathers.
"So he starts off well past first base, whereas Stephen Harper was still working his way to first base even when he got there."
Trudeau visits China: 6 things to watch - Politics - CBC News
How warm a welcome?
When Stephen Harper first went to China in 2009, the prime minister received a frosty reception and was famously chastised by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao for not visiting sooner.
And that was when journalists were still in the room.
A senior official quipped afterwards that the reception was so frosty, icicles nearly formed on the mirrors in the room at the Great Hall of the People.
By all accounts, Trudeau should receive a much different welcome.
"The name Trudeau is almost as good as being [revered Canadian doctor Norman] Bethune, because it was, after all, Pierre Trudeau who took the step to recognize China in 1971," said former diplomat Colin Robertson, who at one point was posted in Hong Kong.
Robertson noted Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping also have something in common: they are both sons of famous fathers.
"So he starts off well past first base, whereas Stephen Harper was still working his way to first base even when he got there."
Trudeau visits China: 6 things to watch - Politics - CBC News