I call this meeting to order.
Good evening, colleagues, witnesses, guests, and subs sitting in—Mr. Barrett.
Welcome to meeting number eight 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 taking place in hybrid mode. It is also being 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. If you are participating by video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. When members are asking you questions, however, you don't need to wait for me to recognize you during that period. At the end of their time, I'll have to cut off whoever is speaking, as you'll see.
A reminder that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. Please speak slowly and clearly.
When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute, please.
I'd now like to welcome two former ambassadors of Canada to the People's Republic of China: the Honourable John McCallum and Mr. Robert G. Wright. Thank you for being here.
Mr. Wright, I'll go to you first for a two-minute statement, please, and then I'll go to Mr. McCallum.
Please proceed.