Joint statement from Canada and China

NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

****************************** Canada-China joint statement

1. At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an official visit to China from December 2 - 6, 2009, visiting Beijing, Shanghai and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

2. Prime Minister Harper had a meeting with President Hu Jintao, held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao, and will meet with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo. Both sides had an in-depth, candid and productive exchange of views on China-Canada relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, finding consensus in many areas. During the visit, a series of agreements was signed to further bilateral cooperation in the fields of climate change, mineral resources, culture and agricultural education. 3. Both sides gave a positive assessment of the development of Canada-China relations in the 39 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and acknowledged that China and Canada are both influential countries in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing extensive common interests and broad prospects for cooperation. Friendly ties have long existed between China and Canada, symbolized by such figures as Doctor Norman Bethune and the fact that there are now 1.3 million Chinese-Canadians in Canada. To develop a long-term and stable relationship of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples. The two sides agreed to work together to further promote China-Canada cooperation in all bilateral areas and international affairs, as bilateral relations enter a significant new era.

4. The two sides agreed on the importance of frequent exchanges, including at leaders’ level, to promote development of the China-Canada relationship. Both sides agreed to enhance the role of the Strategic Working Group, a bilateral mechanism established in 2005 to facilitate regular, high-level bilateral exchange between officials. Deputy Minister-level officials from both sides will meet early in 2010 to discuss the nature of this enhancement and likely subjects of focus, including trade and investment, energy and environment, health and governance. Both sides further agreed to make full use of the more than 40 bilateral consultation mechanisms already in existence, reinforcing dialogue and communication in all fields.

5. Both sides are committed to a steady and positive forward momentum in the overall bilateral relationship, reaffirming the fundamental principle of respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, core interests and major concerns. Neither side supports any attempts by any force to undermine the above-mentioned principle. The Chinese side emphasized that the question of Taiwan concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Canadian side reiterated its consistent and long-standing One China policy, established at the founding of diplomatic relations, and underlined its support for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, including through efforts by both sides to increase dialogue and interactions in economic, political and other fields.

6. Both sides recognized that each country and its people have the right to choose their own path, and that all countries should respect each other’s choice of development model. Both sides acknowledged that differing histories and national conditions can create some distinct points of view on issues such as human rights. The two sides agreed to increased dialogue and exchanges on human rights, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to promote and protect human rights consistent with international human rights instruments.

7. The two sides were in agreement that strong economic and trade complementarity exists between Canada and China. Practical cooperation should be enhanced to promote increased trade and investment between the countries. The two sides reiterated their commitment to maintaining an open investment and trade policy, opposing protectionism in all its manifestations, reducing barriers to investment, and encouraging cooperation between enterprises of the two countries. Canada welcomes investment from China. China welcomes investment from Canada. Both sides undertake to expedite negotiations of a China-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, to benefit both countries by providing a predictable and stable legal framework to increase investor confidence. Both sides agreed on the need to encourage further growth of bilateral trade from its current levels, increasing trade in goods and services in all sectors, including energy and resources, infrastructure, telecommunication and transportation, advanced technology, tourism, agriculture and financial services. Both sides agreed to strengthen the bilateral science and technology relationship. Canada and China also agreed to enhance cooperation on clean energy. Prime Minister Harper announced a second round of funding for the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

8. Leaders agreed that fostering educational, cultural, business and people-to-people links and promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples will enrich the long-term development of China-Canada relations. Both sides agreed to use the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as the opportunity to increase interaction between all sectors of society. China and Canada welcome two new channels to increase people-to-people interaction, through the opening of a new Chinese Consulate General in Montreal, and China’s announcement during the visit of Approved Destination Status for Canada, further promoting the increased flow of tourists, students and business people between the two countries.

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