SPEECHES

October 19, 2005
OTTAWA, Ontario
2005/39

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NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY

THE HONOURABLE PIERRE PETTIGREW,

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

ON THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF

CANADA-CHINA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

It is my pleasure to be here today, at the invitation of the Canada-China Legislative Association and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and China.

As you know, the Canada-China relationship is not as young as our 35 years of diplomatic relations would imply. During the nearly 100 years that preceded the establishment of diplomatic relations, the building blocks of our friendship were laid both by individual Canadians and Chinese, and by non-governmental organizations. These included doctors, teachers who built institutions in China, the many Chinese labourers who came to Canada to build mines and railways, and of course, the famous contribution of Dr. Norman Bethune. Our people-to-people ties are significant—with more than one million Canadians linked to China via their heritage—and will continue to grow stronger as the new Air Services Agreement between Canada and China is implemented and the Cultural Agreement bears fruit.

I would like to note the significant role the Canada-China Legislative Association has played since its inception in 1998, in promoting better understanding between Canadian parliamentarians and representatives of the National Peoples’ Congress on general issues of governance, specific issues of common interest and accomplishments, as well as differences and challenges in respective systems and cultures.

As China continues to command the world’s attention with the strength of its economy and its increasing role in global institutions, relations between Canada and China continue to grow. This year was no exception.

During Prime Minister Martin’s trip to China in January, he and Premier Wen Jiabao agreed to establish a Strategic Working Group to act as a mechanism to broaden and strengthen the Canada-China relationship. I am happy to report that the Group’s activities are off to a good start.

Last month, Canada was pleased to host a visit by President Hu Jintao. This visit culminated in a pledge by both countries to elevate the Canada-China relationship to that of a Strategic Partnership. Canada is looking forward to the mutually beneficial fruits that this enhanced partnership will bring to bear.

While we are here today to celebrate 35 years of relations, now is not so much the time to look back as it is to look forward. We must ask ourselves what we want from the Canada-China relationship in the next 35 years. Parliament has a key role to play in building ever stronger people-to-people ties, advocating our interests and values, and finding opportunities to increase ties at the level of parliamentarians, educational institutions, business and cities. The government looks to them to make the most of opportunities such as the World Urban Forum, and the Olympics to build partnerships and to create new opportunities based on shared interests.

Thank you.