I call the meeting to order.
Good evening, and welcome to meeting number five of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship.
Pursuant to the order of reference of May 16, 2022, the committee is meeting on its study of the Canada-People's Republic of China relations. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
I would also note that everybody appearing by Zoom, especially our witnesses, have had their sound checks done, so everybody should be able to hear everybody properly.
If you are one of our witnesses, make sure that your microphone is spaced between your nose and your upper lip. That way the interpreters will be able to hear you.
I have a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. If you're participating by video conference, you click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourself when you're not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece with the selected channel.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. The chair of another committee that I sit on also reminds people that they cannot take pictures of your screens while the session is under way.
For members in the room, we have the speaking order—at least most of it. I will look to Mr. Chong to fill me in as to who his lineup is going to be, because we don't have it yet. We'll manage the speaking order as best we can, particularly because we will be into committee business in the third hour.
Now I'd like to welcome our witnesses for the first hour.
Clive Hamilton is a professor of public ethics at Charles Sturt University, Canberra campus; and Jeremy Youde is dean of the college of arts, humanities and social sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth. We have yet to connect with our third person in the first panel, and that's Jonathan Manthorpe, former foreign correspondent, China watcher and author of Claws of the Panda.
With that, we'll have our witnesses provide us with up to five minutes of an opening statement.
Mr. Hamilton, we still start with you. Your five minutes starts now.