The China Institute at the University of Alberta Releases its Annual Survey onAlbertans' Views on China
The China Institute at the University of Alberta has released its Annual Survey on Albertans' Views on China. Key findings of the Survey indicate Albertans' growing support for Chinese investment and closer economic ties while some concerns still remain.
The results of the survey indicate a large majority of Albertans (70%) acknowledge that Chinese investment contributes to Alberta's economy, with 6% more Albertans agreeing to this statement than in 2014. The results also show a 6% increase of those who view China as an important market for energy exports (66%). There was also strong support for the idea of innovation and technology-based collaboration with China (77%). More than two in five Albertans (44%) support the idea of a free trade agreement with China, 28% are neutral, while 28% are opposed.
Albertans remain skeptical towards full ownership of Canadian Companies by Chinese investor but support is increasing. Albertans in favour of full ownership by Chinese investors increased by 6% from 2014 to 21% while two in five Albertans support Chinese investment in Alberta in the form of partial ownership growing to 44% approval. Despite the growing support for Chinese investment in all forms over the last two years, Albertans continue to have some concerns. With a slight decline in agreement, three quarters (77%) of those surveyed continue see China's human rights record as an issue when doing business in China with those holding post-secondary education or higher most concerned about China's human rights record.
Read the full report.