Thank you very much, gentlemen.
I have listened with interest and I understand the balance between business and human rights that you've mentioned. I can also tell you that I visited Saudi Arabia recently, and I discovered the situation that Mr. Sampson went through was also a very poor understanding of culture and a lack of a personal relationship, as we talked about. I agree with you there.
The Chinese are very smart business people. I think they have moved a long way from where they used to be, but they're moving at their own speed. I think their engagement in Africa and Latin America some would say is a wonderful engagement, but at the same time we have to recognize that many of the other countries they're engaging with don't have a very stellar record on many issues. They aren't signatories to certain conventions, and therefore some European and North American countries wouldn't want to go there.
My question, sir, is how long do you think it would take, and how many people being abused is acceptable as a measure for a Canadian prime minister to bring up the issue publicly and then get criticized for it?
At the same time, sir, I think you've said that as reflected by recent Canadian ministers' visits to China, Canada must continue to build and maintain a mutually trusting and respectful relationship with China. We agree with that, no question about it, and therefore the ministers went there. That would permit the constructive engagement on the full spectrum of issues between our two countries.
So where do we draw the line? Is it wrong to speak up and at the same time send your ministers there? You suggest we should have a relationship. I would say, sir, that we do endeavour to have a relationship by the ministerial visits, and at the same time, I think the prime minister's bashing is admirable. He is standing up for somebody who is a Canadian and who's in jail. Somebody needs to speak up for that individual. I think it would be absolutely unacceptable in Canada, at least to me, that the Prime Minister of Canada would never bring up the issue.
And we talk privately. I think a business community such as yours should be standing up and championing the cause. I think the United States has less influence in India than Bill Gates probably has. Have you made an effort on this issue at all? That is my question to you, sir.
The other question is about the trade deficit and Mr. Chairman has already asked that, but I would ask a question on that issue. When do you see or do you ever see a possibility of a trade balance between China and India?
