Canada’s relations with China have seen major challenges in the past year and a half, with our citizens detained or given execution sentences, our agriculture products suddenly excluded from China’s markets, and occasional statements by Chinese officials demanding changes to Canada’s policies. A Special Parliamentary Committee on Canada-China Relations was struck to advise on Canada’s direction forward in tackling these issues. Now the COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension to these challenges, with Canada experiencing the full medical, economic, and social effects of the virus while attempting to source personal protective equipment from China. The Canadian government’s response to these challenges has been variously applauded, questioned, and criticized.

Canada’s man on the front line for all these issues is our Ambassador to China, Dominic Barton, with perhaps the most important Canadian diplomatic assignment in many years. In this CIC cross-Canada virtual event open to members of all 16 Chapters, Ambassador Barton will speak about the Embassy’s efforts to navigate the recent challenges while staying true to Canada’s values and protecting our interests. The Moderator for the event will be CIC’s President, former Ambassador Ben Rowswell. Daniel Koldyk, Counsellor (Economics and Finance) at the Embassy of Canada to China and Chief Representative of the Department of Finance to China will provide some comments. Former Assistant Deputy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Johnston will be our Discussant. If you are currently a member of the CIC, you are welcome to join us for this very important discussion which will be a private event conducted under Chatham House Rule Plus – meaning that there is no attribution, and no information revealed from the discussion.

DATE AND TIME:

Thursday, May 7, 2020

8:00 to 9:15 pm EDT

ADVANCE REGISTRATION:

This event is open to CIC members only. While there is no cost to participate, advance registration is required. Prior to the event, a link and password will be sent to those registered.

Questions can be sent in advance to m.mccuaig-johnston@hotmail.com to be posed during the Q&A segment of the discussion.

You can register at: https://cicncbmay072020.eventbrite.ca

To join or renew your membership in the CIC please go to www.thecic.org/get-involved/