A few weeks ago I wrote about Canada’s approach to China, and the dilemma that exists between its business interests and human rights concerns in the country.   In this blog, I`m going to expand a little on those thoughts by discussing why engaging with China is so important for Canada.

From the interests at stake and the actors involved, it is clear that Canada’s China policy must account for both business and human rights interests.   As such, there is much continuity between a new approach and the former “Team Canada” approach taken by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.   In fact, there is much to learn from the former Liberal Party policy that emphasized a closer economic and political relationship, a positive attitude toward Chinese investment in Canada’s energy sector, and a less confrontational approach on human rights.   But the Harper government must refine the former Liberal policy into something that views engagement as the best method to securing our national interests.

On the most basic level, Prime Minister Harper should make visiting China an immediate priority.   Other G8 leaders such as French President Nicholas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and former U.S. President George W. Bush have visited China within the past year despite their human rights concerns.   Human rights should be addressed at these high level meetings, but concerns must be discussed in a pragmatic way and not in a way that seeks to embarrass the Chinese. 

It is clear that neither the annual Canada-China human rights dialogue promoted by the Liberals between 1997 and 2005, nor the Harper approach of more publicly addressing human rights, have been successful.   A more productive approach might be to utilize Chinese and Canadian businesses and civil society groups in order to advance a discussion of corporate responsibility and human rights at the citizen level.   Such an approach is premised on the notion that economic prosperity and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and that change in China will come from within. 

In terms of the economic relationship, Canada should keep up with other industrialized states by expanding its trade and investment relationship with China. The director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, Wenran Jiang, has argued that energy cooperation between the two countries would “benefit both countries economically; guide a rising China’s energy policy toward a more environmentally-friendly direction; and align Beijing’s foreign policy towards more peaceful and less confrontational international partnerships”.

Deepening Canada’s energy partnership with China is not without risk; and Canada would need to assuage U.S. fears of a Chinese stranglehold of the Canadian energy market.   However, Canada could argue that a stronger, more transparent working relationship between itself and China actually reduces the likelihood of confrontation between the United States and China.  Rather than China deepening energy relationships with states like Iran and Sudan, Canada should make the case that stronger economic ties with China contribute to international peace and security.   Such a policy toward China is not only good for the Canadian economy, but it also upholds Canada’s international reputation.

Building consensus for this new China strategy means working to ease the concerns of both the Canadian human rights and business communities.    The time is right for the government of Canada to develop a comprehensive policy towards China.