Canada and China: The Ties that Bind

Abstract

The visit of President Hu Jintao this month, on the margins of the G20 meeting in Toronto, marks another important step in the strengthening of relations between Canada and China. While Canada is no longer at the forefront of Western ties with Beijing, there are a number of areas in which the relationship between the two countries remains special. For its size, Canada’s people-to-people ties with China are arguably longer, richer, and deeper than that of any other Western country. The trade in resources is also lucrative and mutually beneficial. The inflow of Chinese capital is another area of potential mutual benefit. These bilateral ties are a foundation for the further development and strengthening of Canada-China relations.