Canada-China Relationship Forum

Virtual Canada-China Relationship Forum

January 12, 2021

China Institute Co-hosts Virtual Canada-China Relationship Forum

The China Institute of the University of Alberta was pleased to participate in the Canada-China Relationship Forum on January 12, 2021, a ‘Track II’ dialogue with senior-level representatives from Canada and China.

Co-hosted with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Beijing-based Charhar Institute, a Chinese think-tank focusing on foreign policy and international relations, the discussion - held under Chatham House Rules - was frank and informative.

Given the significance of the continuing tensions in Canada-China diplomatic relations, the Forum provided a useful platform for senior-level discussion and dialogue on relevant political and economic issues, among them: Canada-China political, diplomatic, and economic relations; global power relations; multilateralism; public health/post-pandemic co-operation; environmental issues; and, the unique role and contribution of Chinese-Canadians to the development of bilateral relations.

Canada’s Ambassador to China Dominic Barton and PRC Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu provided opening commentaries on Canada-China bilateral relations.

APF Canada President and CEO Stewart Beck and Charhar Institute Secretary General Li Qiangmin provided opening remarks. China Institute Director Emeritus Gordon Houlden gave closing remarks and served as a moderator. China Institute Interim Director Jia Wang served as a panelist, along with representatives of Charhar, the CIUA, and APFC, as well as the China Institute Senior Fellows and APFC Distinguished Fellows.

While Canada and China possess a long history of diplomatic, people-to-people, and business ties, negative political and consular developments in the past two years have damaged the relationship, which is now at a historic low. The China Institute believes that dialogue and debate become even more important when Canada and China have divergent views.