I think that's a charitable reading of the ambassador's comments, but I appreciate the information you provided about that response.
In terms of Canada's engagement with China and the kinds of multilateral partnerships that are created, I know you've been critical of, for instance, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Canada is a member of that bank, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to be part of that bank, which is part of the wider belt and road initiative, BRI. I think it would be hard for a lot of Canadians to understand why we are funding a Chinese government-controlled development bank, which is part of an agenda to bring other countries into its sphere of influence, when perhaps we could be directing those resources through other development banks or partnering directly with developing countries.
Could you share your thoughts on the AIIB, on the wisdom of Canadian participation in it and on possible alternatives?