Mr. Speaker, the newly formed Canada-China Legislative Association recently made its inaugural visit to China and held meetings with the National People's Congress. It is called a legislative association and not a parliamentary association because China has neither a true parliament nor a parliamentary political culture.
A parliamentary culture not only tolerates but welcomes and even formalizes dissent and opposition. The crackdown of the last two weeks on political dissenters in China shows the wisdom of withholding the name parliamentary from the association we in this parliament have with the National People's Congress.
China is a major player on the global stage and must be engaged by Canada both politically and economically. However, at the same time as we show respect for China we must also show respect for our own values.
China is now a place where people can make money. But a more open economy without democratic values is surely not enough. The west must not be bought by the lure of such a big market. When parliamentary values can be openly practised in China, China's signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights will take on new meaning and China will truly take its place as a leader among nations.