Canadians’ Negative View of Beijing Doesn’t Allow a ‘Formal Reset’ in Relations: Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 27, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Canadians’ predominantly unfavourable perception of China makes it unlikely Ottawa and Beijing will reset bilateral relations, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said after her unannounced visit to China last week.

“It’s not the government. It’s more Canadian perceptions toward China, which are negative right now. And it’s important for China to understand that,” Ms. Joly told The Globe and Mail following her July 18-21 visit to China.

“There are many things that we need to do before a formal reset. There are too many aspects core to our relationship that need to be addressed, including foreign interference, including trade issues.”

A survey by the Pew Research Center last year found only 14 percent of Canadians hold a favourable or somewhat favourable view of China. There has also been increased scrutiny of China’s interference efforts in Canada following several intelligence leaks in the media about Beijing meddling in Canadian elections, as well as reports of China’s secret police stations in Canada.

China was found to be the most persistent and sophisticated foreign interference threat to Canada, according to the foreign interference inquiry’s initial report published May 3. The report also noted the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) views China as “the biggest threat to the Canadian electoral space by a significant margin.”

Ms. Joly told The Globe she raised the issue of foreign interference as well as human rights, Taiwan, and Hong Kong during her meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Global Affairs Canada’s formal statement about the visit said the minister reaffirmed her “commitment to pragmatic engagement with China and the development of sound and stable bilateral relations that advance and protect Canadian interests, contribute to security and stability, and enhance deep and historic people-to-people ties.”

“Minister Joly stated that Canada would continue to defend our democracy and the values it has always stood for, including human rights, the rule of law, and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, as Canada does consistently in its international engagement,” the July 19 statement says. “The Minister reaffirmed Canada’s One-China Policy, which remains unchanged.”

Under the One-China policy adopted since 1970, Ottawa recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the government of China, and takes “note” of the PRC’s position toward Taiwan, without endorsing or challenging it.

The two ministers also discussed topics related to trade and “environmental protection and climate response,” as well as combatting illegal drugs like fentanyl, the Canadian statement said.

A media statement from China said the two countries should “inject momentum into the restoration of normal relations between the two countries.” It added that the topics of Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong are off limits, saying there is “no external interference” allowed.

An ongoing public inquiry is currently examining China’s interference in Canada. Different parliamentary committees are also probing China’s meddling efforts, and the RCMP recently launched a special program in Quebec to address the Chinese regime’s increased harassment against the diaspora.