Crucial to 'openly' discuss political interference, human rights: Calls for caution as Canada PM Carney prepares to meet China's Xi amid new global political order

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Former Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip is a longtime critic of China, who has accused its government of “crimes against humanity” after a crackdown on dissent in the Chinese special administrative region.

Calls for caution as [Canada PM Mark] Carney prepares to meet Xi amid new global political order

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“The world political order is different now compared with nine years ago,” he said, referring to the last visit to China by a Canadian prime minister when Justin Trudeau travelled there in 2017.

“The Americans (are) not a reliable ally anymore, with President Trump saying Canada is going to be the 51st state. We cannot rely on the U.S., so we have to open up a new relationship and new market for Canada.”

However, Chan said Canada should not lose sight of human rights issues, such as the jailing of pro-democracy dissidents in Hong Kong, in the pursuit of new trade relationships — despite the importance of creating a “meaningful dialogue” with Beijing.

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Human rights activist Thekla Lit, another critic of China’s ruling Communist party [and] speaking on behalf of the Chinese Canadian Concern Group about the Chinese Communist Party’s Human Rights Violations, said she was alarmed that Carney had decided to reopen the relationship.

“Every time we prioritize our short-term trade over standing up for our values, the CCP — the Chinese Communist Party — has used the leverage to hurt us later,” said Lit.

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“So, economic resilience comes from trading with partners who respect the rule of law, not from becoming dependent on the regime that uses its market as a weapon of coercion.”

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“Remember the two Michaels situation,” Chan said, referring to Kovrig and Spavor’s arrests. “Canada (stood) firm for years against Communist China’s political pressure and still survived. … Although Canada is in an extremely difficult position now, we have to be cautious.”

Lit said the talks come at a time when Beijing has increased repression of China’s religious leaders, while members of the overseas diaspora are “harassed by state-backed proxies.”

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has said that China seeks to stifle criticism and manipulate Canadian communities, and that fear of “state-backed or state-linked retribution” in Canada or against loved ones in China can force individuals to submit to foreign interference.

Lit said it was crucial that Carney “openly” discuss issues of foreign interference and human rights with Xi.

“Quiet diplomacy has failed for a decade, and we need public accountability,” Lit said.