Mr. Chair, members of the committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide you an update on Canada-China relations.
Much has changed since this committee last met in June 2021. China's efforts to shape the rules-based international order in ways contrary to Canada's interests have only accelerated in that period, but the government's approach to China has consistently followed the four Cs of challenge, co-operate, compete and coexist.
I will convey my update within that framework.
First is challenge.
We recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the return of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Since their return, Canada has taken important decisions, including a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games and our decision on 5G.
Canada remains concerned with and will continue to challenge China's activities that undermine international principles and rules, including recent escalations of cross-strait tensions and the PLA's unsafe conduct with Canadian military aircraft. The safety of Canadians in China remains an important priority in our bilateral relationship. Canada will always advocate for Canadians detained in China. The safety of Canadian citizens and residents in Canada is equally important. We, therefore, note recent reports of foreign interference activities in Canada and are working with relevant partners on next steps.
The UN report on Xinjiang underscores our long-standing concerns regarding China's human rights violations against Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities. We note with great concern its assessment that China's actions may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity. Canada will continue to challenge China to uphold its human rights obligations and respond to the report's recommendations.
Canada is also concerned with the human rights situation in Tibet and in Hong Kong, and with the rights of Falun Gong practitioners and other religious minorities.
Second is co-operation.
Advancing Canadian interests requires diplomacy with China. In that regard, we have carefully re-opened official channels of communication with China. Minister Joly held two meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including in person at the G20 in July. Canada has used these meetings for frank exchanges on bilateral and global challenges.
The recent appointment of Canada’s new Ambassador to China, Jennifer May, will facilitate ongoing diplomatic efforts. We are also cooperating on shared global interests, as Canada and China will welcome thousands of delegates from around the world to Montreal in December for COP15.
Third is compete.
Our embassy and consulates work hard to ensure the viability of our commercial relationship so that Canadian companies can continue to benefit from opportunities in China, while maintaining competitiveness and mitigating risks to Canada's national security. We support their efforts to diversify beyond China to ensure supply chain security. We are working bilaterally and with partners, including at the WTO, to address market access barriers and other uncompetitive policies.
We're concerned that, instead of defending Ukraine's sovereignty, China appears not only to embrace the view that international rules and norms don't apply to “great powers” in their spheres of influence, but also to offer a competing vision for global governance. Canada, like most nations, defends a competing view that rules and norms apply equally to all states.
And last, there is coexist. Our longstanding people-to-people ties remain important, as Chinese diaspora communities are integral to the multicultural fabric of our society. Unfortunately, we witnessed an increase of anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, which we denounce in the strongest possible terms.
As Canada navigates the complexities of coexisting with China, we will respond to emerging challenges and opportunities and will always be willing to pursue co-operation and dialogue with China.
Thank you very much, Chair.