Trudeau presses China on rights, signs $1.2-billion in deals
Finally, a real prime minister.
Trudeau presses China on rights, signs $1.2-billion in deals
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday he had had difficult conversations with Chinese leaders on human rights, as his government announced the signing of 56 deals with China worth more than $1.2-billion.
Trudeau is seeking deeper ties with China but a trade dispute over canola, government divisions over China policy and the case of a detained citizen could limit his gains.
A day earlier, the family of Canadian citizen Kevin Garratt, indicted by China in January on charges of spying and stealing state secrets, expressed frustration by the lack of progress in securing his release.
Speaking to businesspeople in China’s commercial capital of Shanghai following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, Trudeau said he told both men that acceptance of diverse perspectives would strengthen China.
“And I remind everyone that as a country that has seen the benefits first hand of free expression and good governance, Canada encourages China to do more to promote and protect human rights,” he said.
“I know these are not easy conversations to have but they are necessary ones.”
Trudeau presses China on rights, signs $1.2-billion in deals - The Globe and Mail