Gordon Houlden, director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, was interviewed by The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO respecting Canada's relationship with China. While conceding that there is a lack of sufficient direct engagement between the senior leaders of each nation, Gordon highlights some positive development on recent bilateral relations.
When it comes to the human rights issue, Gordon believes that the best approach for Canada to take is to engage China on this sensitive topic. There is a time when Canada needs to criticize China's human rights practice in public, but sometimes there is also a need for discussion behind closed door, through the so-called "quiet diplomacy". Canada has to engage China as it is while attempting to change it, said Gordon. Please click here for the TVO webpage, and click here for listening to the podcast.