Gateway Newspaper
In facing some tough questions on his nations human rights record, the impact of its economic growth on the environment and the nature of relations between Canada and China, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Lu Shumin provided some candid answers.
First though, Lu delivered a speech at the behest of the University of Albertas China Institute on chinas development and China-Canada co-operation.
After sketching out Chinas economic and scientific development over the course of the past five centuries, Lu said that modern China is driving the worlds economic growth. He also said that the country has brought 200 million people out of poverty in the last two decades. This change, Lu notes, hasnt only helped to improve his countrys economy, but has also improved its human rights record as people get access to the Internet and cellphones, among other technology.
Things have changed in China, for anyone to say that this [access to technology] is not human rights, surely this is human rights, Lu said. Of course we still have problems, we still have room to improve and I think that theres no possible country in the world that can claim that their human rights record is perfect.
However, when we protect our human rights we have to do it according to the national conditions, Lu continued. We have to do it according to the national laws of our countryso we consider this an internal affair. We will listen to the suggestions and even criticisms but, of course, it is difficult for us to do when China is preached to, he said. Lu didnt elaborate on who he was referring to as preaching to the country.
The most contentious question of the afternoon came from an audience member who asked for the ambassadors response to allegations that the Chinese government has rounded up members of Falun Gong, a faith that practices a form of yoga. Established in 1992, Falun Gongs advocates have alleged that the Chinese government recently forced a group of Falun Gongs members into a concentration camp and nearly 6000 had their organs harvested.
In his response, Lu categorized the claim referenced in the question as a lie and said that American and other nations diplomats have visited locations where this harvesting is alleged to be happening and found no evidence.
In China we have really strict regulations on the human organs transplant. You have to get the consent of the patient and of the donor and this is very strict, Lu said. I just want to remind all of you to consider that the Falun Gong sect alleges that 6000 people have had their organs harvested in a matter of a few weeks. Just imagine for 6000 people to have this operation, what a large hospital this would be. Does there exist such a hospital in the world
The female audience member further pressed Lu on Chinas treatment of Falun Gong, but was swiftly cut off by the moderator who went on to a new question. It dealt less with Chinas internal issues and more with the changes to Canadas relationship with the nation.
Lu sidestepped offering any direct criticism of the Harper governments outspoken focus and condemnation his nations human rights record, and instead spoke in broad terms about the current tone of the relationship.
We should always handle these differences [between governments and our nations] with dialogue and in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, Lu said. Its a challenge to solve our differences, but we need to solve them so they do not become blocks or barriers in the relationship and prevent it from growing.
Lus posting as ambassador wasnt the first time he came to Canada, as he was among the first nine Chinese students to come to Canada to attend university in 1973. However, whereas his last stint in Canada was focused around learning, according to Lu a large part of his role as ambassador is to educate Canadians about the real China and its goals, as well as strengthen future ties between the two nations.
I hope that we can work together to really increase our mutual understanding to build our world [into] a much better one and one in which we live harmoniously.