Ties with China stronger, Emerson says.
Repairing Canada's relationship with Communist country 'a top priority' for Foreign Minister; critics call for more effort from Harper.
Emerson says our relationship with China is improving, the Harper government is making efforts to change its policy toward the country, especially since Harper met with President Hu at the G8 in Japan.
Emerson is headed to Beijing as leader of Canada's delegation at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
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A reader's comment:
Nice to hear we've got an understanding and ambitious new Foreign Minister. Let's give him and Harper a chance.
Repairing Canada's relationship with Communist country 'a top priority' for Foreign Minister; critics call for more effort from Harper.
Emerson says our relationship with China is improving, the Harper government is making efforts to change its policy toward the country, especially since Harper met with President Hu at the G8 in Japan.
Emerson is headed to Beijing as leader of Canada's delegation at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
Mr. Jiang from Alberta's China Institute says Emerson's statements show a positive trend and are a "good signal". However..."I think that the relationship with China is one that we've been cultivating and improving for some time now and my appointment certainly does not get in the way of that, but I don't think it's a signal of any profound change in foreign policy," he said.
Harper hasn't visited China as PM of Canada, Jiang complains..."You need to have the Prime Minister's direct engagement. That is where the key problem is," he said. "Harper is not committing to visiting China any time soon."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../National/home"Why everybody else? Other heads of state of G8 ... are visiting China, are engaging China for improving China's human rights, for improving economic relations to promote jobs and investments and our Prime Minister is not doing so."
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A reader's comment:
I didn't know that. Now I'll forgive him for slacking off!;-)Sylvia Wilson, Canada writes: I'm not surprised that PM Harper doesn't wish to visit China. He's had Childhood Asthma and with the smog and pollution in that country what person that suffers from that disease would want to go to a country where it's exacerbated. Hopefully, Emerson doesn't have that disease and simply tells Chinese leaders that for health reasons Harper decided wisely not to attend.
Nice to hear we've got an understanding and ambitious new Foreign Minister. Let's give him and Harper a chance.