Some Reflections on China-Canada Relations

关于中加关系的几点思考

 

Ambassador Cong Peiwu Publishes a Signed Article on The Star

驻加拿大大使丛培武在加《多伦多星报》发表署名文章

 

June 19 2020

2020年6月19日

 

Recently, Canadian media and scholars have discussed a lot about China-Canada relations. We have heard such arguments as “there are no common interests between China and Canada,” “the China-Canada relationship is not worth saving,” and “Canada should deal with China together with countries sharing the same values.” I was shocked by these public arguments that attempt to downgrade our relationship and sow discord between China and Canada. There are some acute issues in China-Canada relations currently, which leads to severe hardships in bilateral ties. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, we should take and reflect on these issues seriously. There is no need to be fearful of problems; what is fearful is being apathetic or unable to understand and solve problems from a proper perspective. I want to share my observations and reflections.

近来，加拿大媒体、学者围绕中加关系进行了大量讨论，出现了“中加之间毫无共同利益”、“中加关系不值得挽救”、“加应同价值观相同国家一致对华”等公开唱衰、甚至挑拨两国关系的论调，我对此深感惊讶。毋庸讳言，当前中加关系的确存在一些突出问题，导致两国关系陷入严重困难。在中加建交50周年之际，这些问题值得重视和反思。有问题不可怕，怕的是麻木不仁或者不能从正确角度认识和解决间题。我愿谈几点看法。

 

First, is it necessary to maintain China-Canada relations? Fifty years ago, amid the raging Cold War between East and West and the fierce confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union, the leaders of China and Canada made a correct decision to establish diplomatic relations by overcoming numerous obstacles and difficulties. They realized that the development of bilateral relations is in line with the trends of the times and the long-term interests of the two peoples. Their political courage and vision have always been impressive.

首先，中加关系是否值得维护？50年前，东西方冷战正酣，美苏两强对抗激烈。中加领导人冲破重重阻力和困难作出建交的正确决断，正是看清了两国关系发展是顺应时代潮流、符合两国人民长远利益之举，他们的政治魄力和眼光至今令人钦佩。建交50年来，中加关系总体保持发展势头，两国人民获益匪浅。尤其是近年来，随着中国进一步深化改革、扩大开放,中加传统友谊焕发出新活力。

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, China-Canada relations have generally maintained a momentum of development, benefiting the two peoples a lot. Especially in recent years, with China’s deepening reform and expanding opening up, the traditional friendship between China and Canada has renewed its vitality. The trade volume between China and Canada reached $74 billion U.S. last year, nearly 500 times that in the 1970s. Over 200,000 Chinese students are studying in Canada, and over 1.5 million tourists travel between the two countries every year. Both sides share common views in maintaining multilateralism and free trade, supporting the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization, and responding to climate change and other major issues related to world peace and development. This year, the two countries have assisted each other in medical supplies in the face of difficulties in fighting against COVID-19, which once again showcasing the fine tradition of mutual support between China and Canada in difficult times. The argument that “the China-Canada relationship is not worth saving” falls apart in the face of these solid facts.

去年中加贸易额达740亿美元，是建交之初的近500倍。中国有20多万留学生在加学习，每年两国往来游客超过150万。双方在维护多边主义和自由贸易、支持联合国、世贸组织、世卫组织以及应对气候变化等事关人类和平与发展的重大问题上有广泛的共同语言。今年以来，两国在对方抗击新冠肺炎疫情最艰难的时刻相互援助医疗物资。这再次体现了中加两国在困难时侯相互支持的传统。在这些事实面前，“中加关系不值得挽救”的论调不攻自破。

 

Second, what is the crux of the China-Canada relationship? Many people think it is the values. But as far as I am concerned, the biggest problem in the current China-Canada relations largely comes from the interference of third parties. The Chinese side believes that the Meng Wanzhou case is a grave political incident concocted by the United States to suppress Chinese high-tech enterprises. It has been proved by the United States’ constant use of national power, drawing, and even intimidating allies to exert maximum pressure on Huawei. The United States often uses state apparatus to suppress other countries’ enterprises through “unilateral sanctions” and “long-arm jurisdiction.” The French company Alstom is a good example. The international community sees this very clearly.

其次，中加关系的症结是什么？很多人认为是价值观不同。而我认为当前中加关系最大的问题很大程度上来自于第三方的干扰。在孟晚舟事件上，中方从一开始即认为该事件绝非单纯的司法案件，而是美国一手炮制的打压中国高科技企业的严重政治事件。这在美方不断动用国家力量、拉拢甚至威逼盟友对华为极限施压中已经得到证实。事实上，美动用国家机器通过“单边制裁”、“长臂管辖”等手段打压他国企业的伎俩屡见不鲜，法国阿尔斯通公司就是前车之鉴，国际社会对此看得很清楚。

 

Additionally, the United States has vigorously promoted “America First” worldwide at the expense of others. It is prone to wield a big stick of tariffs against other countries. Multilateral mechanisms and agreements are applied if it wants and abandoned if it doesn’t. “Withdrawal” and “breach of contract” are constantly on show. In recent years, the United States has withdrawn or announced to withdraw from more than ten important organizations and treaties such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Paris Agreement. What the United States has done harms the common interests of the international community. Those insightful people in Canada have seen it through. Canada is taken advantage of by the U.S. in the Meng Wanzhou case, and the United States is indeed the troublemaker in China-Canada relations.

不仅如此，美在国际上大搞“美国优先”，损人利己，动辄对他国挥舞关税大棒，对待多边机制和协议“合则用、不合则弃”，不断上演“退群”、“毁约”。自特朗普上台以来，美国已退出或宣布退出世界卫生组织、联合国人权理事会、《巴黎协定》等组织和条约10多个。美方所作所为损害的是国际社会共同利益。加有识之士对此是十分清楚的。在孟晚舟事件上加方被美利用了，美国是中加关系的麻烦制造者。

 

At last, what is the way out for China-Canada relations? The Canadian people have a tradition of independence and a self-reliance spirit. Regarding major issues such as the Iraq War, the Cuban question, and the COVID-19 response, Canada has stayed committed to making independent choices based on international fairness and justice, which not only safeguards its interests but also wins an international reputation. Canada was a pace-setter among Western countries in terms of developing relations with China. The Chinese side always believes that there are no historical issues and conflicts of fundamental interests between China and Canada. The bilateral economic, trade and cultural cooperation is full of vitality, and the bilateral relations can and should develop better.

最后，中加关系的出路在哪里？加拿大人民是有独立自主传统和自立精神的。从伊拉克战争到古巴问题，再到此次应对新冠疫情等重大问题上，加都坚持从国际公平正义出发，独立作出抉择，不仅维护了自身利益，也赢得了国际声誉。在发展对华关系上，加也曾一度走在西方国家前列。中方始终认为，中加之间不存在历史遗留问题和根本利害冲突，双方经贸、人文等合作富有活力，两国关系能够而且应该发展得更好。

 

The Chinese side never takes the initiative to stir up trouble and will never do anything to interfere in Canada’s internal affairs or undermine China-Canada relations. As long as we uphold mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit and strive to eliminate third-party interference, China-Canada relations can move forward in a healthy and stable manner, which is the fundamental way out for China-Canada relations. The Chinese side does not ask Canada to “make a choice” between China and the United States and believes that the Canadian side is wise enough to actively cooperate with China while managing its relations with the United States. The Chinese side expects the Canadian side to make a correct decision to properly overcome obstacles between China-Canada relations based on its interests and the merits of the matter itself.

中方从不主动挑事，不会做任何干涉加内政、损害中加关系的事。只要双方坚持相互尊重、平等互利，努力排除第三方干扰，中加关系就能健康稳定向前发展，这就是中加关系的根本出路所在。中方不要求加在中美之间“做选择题”，相信加方有足够智慧在处理好对美关系的同时，积极开展对华合作。中方期待加方从自身利益和事情本身是非曲直出发，不要再执迷不悟，在妥善解决中加关系发展障碍上尽早作出正确决断。

 

Fifty years may mean half of the journey for human life. But for China-Canada relations, it’s just a prelude. I believe the road our predecessors paved for China-Canada relations remains broad, and the cooperation potential between the two sides is still enormous. Still, they all rely on our decisions and choices.

五十年对人的生命而言，或许意味旅途过半。但对两国关系而言，只是一个序曲。我相信，我们的前辈们为中加关系开辟的道路依然广阔，双方合作的潜力依然巨大，但这都取决于我们自己的决定和选择。