For almost two years since the December, 2018 detention of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, and the subsequent arrest of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, Canada-China relations have been at the lowest point since the 1989 Tiananmen violence, and perhaps since Canada recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 50 years ago.
What are the prospects for a reduction in tensions in 2021? What are the chances that the “two Michaels” will be released soon? How will the election of President Biden affect US-China relations? Will the US election affect the tenor of the Ottawa-Beijing relationship?
Canada-China trade has remained relatively stable through the diplomatic crisis, although Canadian exports of canola to China have been targeted by China. Is it possible that we will see a resumption of normal agricultural exports to China soon?
Speaker: Dr. Gordon Houlden
Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.
Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at the Canadian Embassies in Havana and Warsaw, and at Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining UAlberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia.
Under Professor Houlden’s leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the PRC, and Asian security issues.
Date and time: Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/xwEmkpBuszU
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SACPA is proud to present this session as part of the Gordon Campbell Memorial Speaker Series.