Beijing is looking for a closer relationship with Ottawa. Should Canada play ball?
Beijing is seeking to improve relations with Ottawa after years of diplomatic unease, and though it's not clear whether Canada is ready to play ball, some experts say there are practical reasons to look for better co-operation.
"The strained relations between our two countries is actually not what we would like to see," China’s ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, said in a recent interview.
"We can be engaged in a candid and constructive dialogue."
This year has already marked an uptick in high-level talks.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly had a lengthy call with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in January, followed by a February meeting in Germany. They only had a brief conversation in 2023.
In both meetings, China laid out its demands for better relations, including "correct cognition," or Canada accepting responsibility for causing diplomatic strain — as Cong put it, "the responsibility does not lie with China."
Beijing also wants "mutual respect," which would include not recognizing an independent Taiwan, and "win-win co-operation," which means fewer trade and science restrictions.
Relations are already in the gutter, noted Carleton University professor Jeremy Paltiel, who specializes in Canada-China relations.
"The Chinese are saying, 'You're offering nothing, so why should we play ball? If you're just gonna show up to criticize, then we're not interested,'" he said.
Paltiel said it would be tricky for Ottawa to find something to work together on that won't rile up the Canadian public or the U.S. government. Both increasingly think about scientific research through security or intellectual-property lenses, he said.
Still, Beijing's priorities could be leveraged into something that is useful for Canada, he suggested.
One form of "win-win co-operation" could be agreeing to export small amounts of liquefied natural gas. Both countries could brand such a move as focused on reducing global carbon emissions by giving China another alternative to coal.
Other countries have found ways to co-operate without backing down on their values, argued Paltiel.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became the first leader of his country to visit Beijing in seven years last fall.
His government convinced China to drop trade restrictions, Paltiel noted, even as it continued to raise human-rights issues with Beijing and work with the U.S. on nuclear submarines.
At around the same time, Joly vowed to undertake "pragmatic diplomacy" and engage more with states Canada has deep disagreements with.
Her office said that approach was demonstrated by her March visit to Saudi Arabia.
Joly has not signalled whether a visit to China is on the horizon.
The Canada China Business Council argues Canadian industry is losing ground to its American, Australian and European competitors, who are taking on Canada's market share in China for goods such as pet food.
A survey of 143 Canadian businesses last fall found "public and corporate sentiment on China remains a tremendous obstacle."
Some 58 per cent said the risk of China arbitrarily detaining staff was still negatively affecting their business, more than five years after China arrested Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor following the Vancouver detainment of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
That's down from 70 per cent who flagged the issue in 2021.
Vina Nadjibulla, the research vice-president for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the primary advocate for Kovrig during his detention, said China took a more assertive posture on the world stage around the time the two Michaels were detained, forcing a rethink in Washington.
The U.S. limited its engagement over human-rights and trade issues. China's growing trade with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine and Beijing's use of reconnaissance balloons proved further provocation in the years that followed.
But in mid-2023, the Biden administration undertook high-level meetings with Chinese counterparts in the hopes of getting relations back on track, a trend replicated by European and Australian allies.
It's OK if Canada does not move aggressively to do the same, Nadjibulla said.
She noted that despite the chill in relations and persistent irritants — like Canada's concern with alleged interference in recent federal elections — Canada's bilateral trade with China has actually grown in recent years.
"We need to get out of this framing of needing to win favour with China to be able to have a functional relationship," she said.
"The state of our relations with China is what it needs to be, and it's moving in the direction to be more functional to serve our interests."
There needs to be some engagement with China, Nadjibulla said, on security in the Indo-Pacific region and transnational issues such as stopping the flow of fentanyl.
At the same time, she said Ottawa should call out Chinese actions in the South China Sea that undermine the international boundaries of the Philippines and continue to support Taiwan.
China sees the democracy as a breakaway region that needs to be under Beijing's rule, and Cong said Ottawa is breaching a long-held policy not to weigh in on China's Taiwan position.
Nadjibulla called 2023 "a landmark year for Canada-Taiwan relations" with a series of agreements signed on issues ranging from public health to investment.
She said Canada's chairmanship this year of a Pacific Rim trade bloc could have Ottawa help Taiwan to enter that group.
"My hope is that as we stabilize relations with (Beijing) we don't lose sight of the fact that we need to continue to deepen engagement with Taiwan, and we don't let any kind of pressure or self-censorship come into the equation," she added.
Liberal MP John McKay has argued that Canada should go even further.
"Our nation has often failed to take a firm stance on this issue, opting instead for a cautious approach of not offending the government of China," he told a conference last month held by the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy.
"This reluctance to fully embrace Taiwan's aspirations not only undermines our own values, but sends a message that we are willing to compromise on principles for the sake of economic interests."
Federal posturing hasn't stopped Beijing from flirting with other levels of government as it seeks to rebuild its relationships in Canada.
In a recent interview with La Presse Canadienne, China's consul general in Montreal, Yuming Dai, said Quebec Premier François Legault would always be welcome to visit Beijing.
"China’s door always remains open," he wrote in a French-language email interview.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2024.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 'Numerous' officers shot in 'active situation' in Charlotte, North Carolina, police say
'Numerous law enforcement officers' have been shot in an 'active situation' in Charlotte, North Carolina, police say.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Singh still not ready to say if NDP will back budget, holding out for 'clarity' on disability benefit
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he's still not ready to say whether his caucus will support the federal budget, citing a need for further 'clarity' over whether the Liberals intend to address concerns surrounding the Canada Disability Benefit program.
B.C. premier says Vancouver speech praising Hamas attack was 'most hateful' he can imagine
B.C. Premier David Eby has joined other politicians denouncing remarks at a demonstration in Vancouver where protesters chanted “long live Oct. 7,” praising that day's attacks by Hamas on Israel.
Norovirus spreading at 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada
Norovirus is spreading at a 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada, specifically, in Ontario and Alberta, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health
Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that.
In a world first, king-size cigarettes in Canada must feature one of these warnings starting Tuesday
Tobacco manufacturers have until Tuesday to ensure every king-size cigarette produced for sale in Canada has a health warning printed directly on it.
WATCH So you haven't filed your taxes yet…
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.
Local Spotlight
Canada's oldest hat store still going strong after 90 years
Since 1932, Montreal's Henri Henri has been filled to the brim with every possible kind of hat, from newsboy caps to feathered fedoras.
Road closed in Oak Bay, B.C., so elephant seal can cross
Police in Oak Bay, B.C., had to close a stretch of road Sunday to help an elephant seal named Emerson get safely back into the water.
B.C. breweries take home awards at World Beer Cup
Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Haida Elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.