The race is still on…
This is interesting…. Harper and Ignatieff are still racing to have their first China trip. Both men released a photo with China’s foreign minister Yang Jiechi on the same day today.
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Ignatieff beat PMO in having sent out a press release today that he will visit China in September 2009 — in both official languages and in Chinese. PMO only released a photo (BTW, please take a look at Cannon’s white socks + black shoes OMG).
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to visit China
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff announced today that he has accepted an invitation from the Government of the People’s Republic of China to visit in early September 2009.“Strengthening Canada’s relationship with China opens doors to greater opportunities for trade and cooperation on key global issues,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “I look forward to developing a greater understanding of China and its culture through my visit.”
The announcement comes following a meeting between Mr. Ignatieff and China’s Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, earlier today in Ottawa.
自由黨黨領葉禮庭將應邀出訪中國
自由黨黨領葉禮庭（Michael Ignatieff）今天宣佈，他已接受中華人民共和國政府的邀請，將於今年九月初訪問中國。
葉禮庭說：「加強加中兩國的紐帶關係將為雙邊貿易創造更大的發展機會，又可以加深兩國間在關鍵性全球問題上的合作。我期望通過此次訪問，進一步加深對中國和中國文化的瞭解。」今天早些時候葉禮庭與到訪的中國外長楊潔篪在渥太華舉行會談。會談後，葉禮庭作出上述應邀出訪宣佈。
But what’s really worth noting isn’t in official words spoken by Yang Jiechi nor Lawrence Cannon. The real stuff was those said by former ambassador Mei Ping (梅平) in Vancouver yesterday.
Speaking to the Chinese media (story in Chinese), Mei was blunt to say that Canadians shouldn’t expect too much concret outcome from Yang’s official visit, hinting Canada is still on China’s watching list.
Mei answered sensitive questions on Falun Gong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and the Dalai Lama, and fugitive Lai Changxing. When asked about the forever delay of the signing of the ADS (approved destination status) with Canada, Mei was straightforward. He said: “If you want ADS, then you should return Lai Changxing to us.”
“If he (Lai) can go back (to China) tomorrow, we’ll give you ADS the day after tomorrow.”
Mei stressed that China didn’t want to link Lai Changixng with ADS. However, if Canada couldn’t clear the Lai case, China predicts there will be more economic fugitive seeking refuge in Canada. Mei said as far as he knows, half of the 40-50 fugitives listed under China’s public safety bureau are hiding in Canada right now. “It makes the Lai case a landmark in treating the problem.”
“The reason I stayed in Canada (as ambassador) for 6.5 years (between 1998 and 2005) was to wait to take Lai Changxing back to China with me,” Mei said. “But it didn’t happen.”
He also said Canada has in fact agreed to deport Lai Changxing but was stuck in our flawed judicial system that allows criminals with money to make indefinite appeals.
Mei said the current relationship between Canada and China has improved since the two heads of state met last year, however Canada hasn’t made a step big enough to warrant real, fruitful bilateral advances.
As the Dalai Lama will visit Canada in September again, Mei warned that if this isn’t handled carefully, the small progress in bettering Canada-China relation “will be destroyed completely.”
