Canada-China Relations: The Past, Present & Future

Characterised by trade disputes, the detention of its citizens, human rights violations, and growing diplomatic quarrels, tensions between Canada and China have reached an historic high. As both countries begin to emerge from the diplomatic conflict involving the arrest of Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou by Canada, at the request of the United States, and the subsequent detainment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor by China for over a thousand days, in what the Canadian government deemed “hostage diplomacy,” many are wondering where this bilateral relationship will go next. An October 2021 Nanos poll conducted after the release of the two Michaels found that “Canadians were over three times more likely to say that relations between the Canadian government and the Chinese government should be unfriendly rather than friendly.” Despite this, trade between Canada and China continues to grow.

Amidst this backdrop, we sit down with two renowned experts on the matter - Professor Paul Evans at the University of British Columbia, and Professor Gordon Holden of the China Institute at the University of Alberta - to discuss the past, present and future of Canada-China relations. How have generations of political leaders and bureaucrats shaped Canada’s relationship with China? What strategies were used? And importantly, how have recent events altered Canada’s approach to China, and is a new strategy necessary?

Guests:

Professor Paul Evans - University of British Columbia, HSBC Chair in Asian Research

Professor Gordon Houlden - University of Alberta, Director Emeritus of the China Institute

Producers:

Connor Fraser - Senior Producer

Tom Chan - Junior Producer

Faria Amin - Executive Producer