China Daily Exclusive

New beginning of China-Canada partnership

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-26 15:10

President Hu Jintao's state visit to Canada, which ended on Friday, thawed the relatively icy relations between Beijing and Ottawa. The exchange of warm remarks between Hu and Canadian leaders reflected the strong political will of the two sides to seek a new beginning to an all-round partnership.

Hu and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed several important agreements in fields ranging from trade to tourism, and pledged to double the volume of two-way trade to $60 billion by 2015. Closer bilateral trade relations will be a double blessing for the economic growth of the two countries and the world economy as a whole.

The new deals will bring real benefits to the two peoples, too. Chinese will get to enjoy Canadian beef again as the country resumes imports. The tourism agreement will help the tourism industries of the two countries to tap the full potential of each other's market.

Stable and growing trade ties will be the springboard of the bilateral bond. As Beijing and Ottawa celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, their resolve to expand cooperation in trade and other sectors will certainly make the bond more endurable to challenges in other fields.

As two countries with different cultures and political systems, it is natural for China and Canada to disagree over trade and political issues such as human rights. The cold front Beijing and Ottawa experienced during the past few years was triggered by Harper's irresponsible criticism of China over human rights issues and his official meeting with the Dalai Lama.

As long as Beijing and Ottawa view their differences in the larger perspective of bilateral cooperation, they will be able to handle disputes through friendly talks and consultations. But Ottawa should realize that harsh words and unjustified accusations can only tear the two sides apart, not bridge the gaps between them.