I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 12 of the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations.
Pursuant to the motion adopted on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the committee is meeting on its study of Canada-China relations.
Today's meeting is in a hybrid format. The meeting is also televised and will be available on the House of Commons website.
To ensure an orderly meeting I'd like to outline a few rules to follow.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of “floor”, “English” or “French”. Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name, unless you are a witness and you've just been asked a question by one of the members. If you are participating by video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute your mike.
Let me remind you that all comments from members and from witnesses must be addressed through the chair.
Please speak slowly and clearly.
When you're not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
I would now like to welcome His Excellency Dominic Barton, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the People's Republic of China. As well, we have Ms. Joya Donnelly, counsellor, political affairs.
We also have Mr. Shawn Steil, executive director, greater China policy and coordination.
Thank you for being here.
Ambassador Barton, please proceed with your opening remarks.