2/3 Canadians urge PM to focus on China’s human rights, not trade: poll
PMO release
Sigh… what can I say? Sometimes I really don’t understand my fellow Canadians. Why are Canadians always one step behind the rest of the world? Is it because our country is too cold so our people don’t travel outside of North America to see the rest of the world?
With an obvious shift of western media obsession on the “China threat” theory and the retrieve of the once mainstream China-bashing rhetoric, I can only hope that over time, Canadians will slowly come to understand the modern China better-informedly.
Tags: Canada-China, China, diplomacy, human rights, poll, Stephen Harper, TradeCanadians Urge for Focus on Human Rights as Prime Minister Visits China
Angus Reid release – Two-thirds of respondents think Canada should not seek free trade agreements with countries that have dubious human rights records.
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in China for a four-day visit, a large majority of Canadians believe the federal government should concentrate on human rights when it comes to bilateral ties, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,006 Canadian adults, 63% of respondents believe Canada should put more emphasis on human rights and minority rights, regardless of the economic implications.
Just over a third of respondents (37%) believe Canada’s long-term policy with China should focus on the trading relationship, regardless of the human rights situation in China.
While those concerned primarily with human rights in China continue to outnumber the proponents of trade, this month’s survey does show a 13-point shift towards trade since an Angus Reid poll conducted in April 2007, when the trial and sentence of Chinese Canadian Huseyin Celil dominated the airwaves.
Two-thirds of Canadians (68%) believe Canada should not seek free trade agreements with developing countries that have dubious human rights records. The level of agreement with this notion has dropped by five points since July 2007, when Canada was discussing a free trade agreement with Colombia.
The prospect of a free trade deal with China is not an overwhelmingly popular idea for Canadians, with 42% perceiving this possibility as a threat to the Canadian economy from foreign imports, and 37% believing it would be an opportunity for economic growth through increased Canadian exports.
Albertans are more likely to perceive free trade with China as an opportunity (52%) while Quebecers (48%) are more likely to regard it as a threat.
Analysis
While trade with China has become a more important issue in the past two years, a majority of Canadians continue to advocate for an emphasis on human rights. China, at this point, is seen as more of a threat in the field of international commerce, a perception that is very different from the perceived benefits a free trade deal with India would bring to Canada.
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It’s definitely important to do business with China as it is an emerging economy, and going to be a major power like the US.
But without a doubt human rights are a concern. But, why shouldn’t we stand up for our values? Though the situation in China is obviously complex.
I guess probably the best we can hope for is that as China opens up more things improve.
my interpretation of china’s stance is that you can uphold your values, stand up for your values no problem. but you don’t have to impose your own standards onto others. period.
and i agree fully.
china IS improving. people really need to go see it to believe it, not counting on old stories from the 60s, 70s. china IS opening up… at a pace at ease for herself. and i don’t see there’s any problem for that. after all, canada also imposes a lot of restrictions on chinese investment in canada etc.
President Obama, like many of the U.S. Presidents before him, also urges “human rights” when he visits China recently. It’s like a norm, it seems.
Religious and press freedoms, the two things that could easily influence the public, are frequently raised whenever they have a dialogue with China. Obviously, when these two are “opened” they believe they could change China or have better chance at doing that.
I have no problem with changing China. I also want to change China. I even hope it could be a vegetarian country. But China is changing so much, especially on freedom that the west is ignoring this. And many people overlooked that if their country have the same population size and situation as China, they’d also face some of the issues that troubles the Old Country now.
I think human rights in China is not a big issue anymore. Perhaps we should focus more on animal rights!
The opening up that changed China was not due to foreign influence but largely due to prosperity, the same conditions as experienced by the U.S., Britain…etc. With more prosperity then comes more freedom. The degree of freedom which is not in line with the degree of prosperity would cripple the nation
religious and press freedoms… it’s freedom measured on a scale. i always think that china isn’t interested in prosecuting religions; but if a religion has turned itself into some kind of political force? it’s not about religious freedom. Atheist china doesn’t care about what gods you pray
even in the west, when a religion becomes a mobilizing political or militant force against the establishment, it will be labelled as “radicals” and it will be outlawed. do you call that religious prosecution?
Surely not, sn. This kind of action will be seen as rebellion and is against the principle and value of democracy. But if it’s happening in China, surprisingly, it can be considered acceptable: double standards. One rule for them, another for China. This is what puts off many Chinese.
Maybe Canada can “afford” to exclude China. It may need more time to realise and accept the new China
All these western white media and ‘mainstream’ population are just pot calling kettle noir !!! Bunch of big time hypocrites.
They should focus on human left instead, that is, native human left in those reserves imposed by the white settlers; human left homeless on urban centre streets, etc. . . .
China does not need non-constructive lip-service criticism or help on her human right issue. She can deal with it on her own terms in a timely way.
Mr. Amateurish Harper should save his lectures on himself and his supporters. I say , Canada, LOOK YOURSELF INTO THE MIRROR first. You, together with USA, Australia & New Zealand all voted against and refused to sign on the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples for these many years, out of narrow-minded self interests and lame excuses.
Talk about human rights. . . . talk about HUMAN LEFT, now . . . .
Ha ha
You think just one step behind only ?