You might remember that when COVID started, China started to use PPE and weaponize PPE. We experienced that one as well. Any trade, when we become dependent on China, is dangerous. It can be used against our national interests.
Yes, we need to have trade. China is our trading partner. They're going to be our second-largest trading partner. In a lot of areas, we are a trading nation. We have commodities to sell. At the same time, we have to remember to have a basic humanitarian and compassionate basis. Twenty years have passed since the illegal detention of Huseyin Celil. The Chinese government that we are going to establish a security partnership with did not allow, a single time, consular access for Huseyin Celil. They did not allow a phone conversation between that gentleman under Chinese custody and Huseyin Celil's family members and children. We are talking about 20 years—just a single time. We still don't know if he's alive or dead. China did not recognize his Canadian citizenship.
China put a bounty on Canadians on Canadian soil. China expanded the transnational repression on Canadian soil. It expanded and installed police stations all across Canada. Just recently, the Jamestown foundation reported—this is important—that there are 575 direct links to the Chinese Communist Party's organizations operating in Canada. For that reason, we have to keep our eyes open. At the same time, we have to adopt measures to counter those direct attacks on Canada.