Chinese Canadians say cabinet needs to ‘stand up’ to Beijing even as relations sour: internal federal poll


Chinese Canadian says minister According to an internal poll conducted for the federal government, we need to “stand up” to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“While China-Canada economic relations continue to be viewed as important, many participants expressed the need to balance this with the Canadian government’s continued commitment to human rights.” said the Privy Council Secretariat report “Ongoing Qualitative Data Collection”. of the Canadians’ point of view. “

“It was felt that these were important principles to uphold, even at the risk of further escalating tensions with China.”

July 26 report first obtained by black rock reporter, was based on findings obtained from a focus group of Chinese Canadians. The Privy Council commissioned the investigation under a $2.4 million annual contract with strategic advisers.

The report said that as Beijing expands its dominance globally, allies such as Canada and the United States will seek to “extend their economic ties with China and the reported human rights abuses taking place within China.” We were forced to investigate further,” he said. national borders. “

“Regarding this latter issue, some participants expressed undue caution that Canada is currently not doing enough to speak out against China’s human rights issues and is willing to criticize the Chinese government. expressed the view that there is,” the researchers wrote.

In February 2021, Conservative MP Michael Chung introduced a motion in the House of Commons recognizing the Chinese Communist Party’s massacre of Uighurs as genocide. MPs from all parties voted unanimously in favor of the motion, with the exception of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet, who abstained from voting.

A similar episode occurred on October 25 when the House adopted. motion Garnet Genus, a Tory Member of Parliament, proposed it and asked the Members of Parliament to agree. report Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to provide federal government with safe haven for Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims targeted in “ongoing carnage” at the hands of the Chinese government I am asking for

Few people want a ‘stronger bond’

Canadian Views reported that most respondents believe the federal government should continue to maintain economic and trade ties with China, but “would like to see a stronger relationship develop.” There weren’t many people.”

“Some felt that in doing so, Canada could not only risk alienating key allies such as the United States, but could also expose itself to security risks, particularly related to cybersecurity and espionage.”

In September 2021, the White House will announced Establishment of AUKUS, a defense agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to “enhance diplomatic, security and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region”.

Prime Minister Trudeau downplayed Canada’s exclusion from the agreement, saying: Australia. “

Adam Fisher, director of intelligence assessments at the Canadian Security Intelligence Agency, testifying before Congress’ House Affairs Committee on November 3, said China was a “frontline aggressor” in foreign interference in Canada.

“China … is more concerned with working to corrupt the system and endangering officials, elected officials, individuals at all levels of government, industry and civil society,” he said.

At the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15, Prime Minister Trudeau’s office said the prime minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss China’s interference in Canada and the establishment of a de facto police station in Canada. He said he had raised concerns about several issues, including media reports that it was being run.

The next day, Xi confronted Trudeau and said he should not have “divided” the details of their conversation to the media.

“Everything we were talking about was leaked to the paper. It’s not appropriate,” Xi told Trudeau through an interpreter.

“That’s not how the conversation was conducted. If there is sincerity on your part…” Xi continued, ending the sentence without translating, “We will proceed with mutual respect. Otherwise, It’s hard to say what the outcome will be,” he said.

Andrew Chen contributed to this report.

Isaac Theo

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Isaac Teo is a Toronto-based reporter for the Epoch Times.