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Canadians say China's market most promising
October 13, 2006
Canadians say China's market most promising
A national opinion poll by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and The Globe and Mail
suggests that Canadians believe China holds greater potential for Canadian exports and
investment than the United States.
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Canadians say China holds the greatest potential for exports and investment, according to a
recent poll.
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Forty-two percent of respondents identified China as the market with the greatest potential, well
ahead of the United States at 29%. The next most important markets were Japan, India, Southeast
Asia and the European Union.
However, when asked about the importance of different countries and regions for Canada’s
prosperity and well being, the United States was selected by 89% of respondents, followed by
China at 77%, the European Union at 66% and Japan at 65%.
“The poll demonstrates that Canadians are attuned to the rise of China as an economic power.
Whether or not China in fact holds greater potential than the U.S., Canadians are embracing
economic relations with China as a necessary and positive development,” said Yuen Pau Woo,
foundation president.
Only 38% of respondents believe that China’s growing importance as an economic power is
more of a threat for Canada than an opportunity. Seventy-three percent agree that increased
Canada-China trade will "mostly help" Canadian consumers.
Regionally, there were differences in views about China. While Quebeckers were split on
whether China or the U.S. holds more potential for exports and investment, the rest of Canada
chose China over the U.S. by a margin of 18 percentage points. The gap in favour of China was
even larger in western provinces, especially British Columbia, where 57% of respondents said
China had the most potential, compared with only 18% who chose the U.S.
The poll, based on 1,014 respondents, was conducted between August 2 and 9, 2006, by the
Strategic Counsel on behalf of the Asia Pacific Foundation and The Globe and Mail. Results for
the national sample are accurate to within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
For more information, go to www.asiapacific.ca.
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