Canada in the Chinese News: June 2023

Canada in the Chinese News is the CIUA’s monthly report of major news stories about Canada in the Chinese media. It highlights which news stories from Canada are being picked up by the Chinese media, and how the Chinese media portrays Canada in its analysis.

The aim of this series is to inform Canadians on what Chinese journalists, academics, and policy elites are thinking about Canada, and how Chinese public perceptions of Canada are being formed and shaped. Due to the heavy state-influence on media in China, this analysis also provide insight into the official viewpoint of the Chinese government.

This will allow Canadians to gain a fuller and more informed perspective on the state of Canada-China relations.

Methods:

We rely on web data, focusing on articles from leading Chinese news sources including but not limited to: People’s Daily (人民日报), China Daily (中国日报), Global Times (环球), Economic Times (经济日报), Guangzhou Daily (广州日报), Caixin (财新传媒), and Xinhua News Agency (新华社).

We utilize the search term “Canada” (加拿大), and discard duplicate articles and articles that do not focus on Canada specifically.

We have provided a direct translation of the article title followed by a summary of content.

This report includes articles published between June 1-30, 2023.

News Stories

1. Global Times, June 1, 2023: Canada to Become First Country to Put Warnings on Individual Cigarettes on August 1 (加拿大首创给每支烟标警示语，8月1日实施新政策)
   
   This Global Times article provides a short overview of Canada’s recently announced policy to place health warnings on individual cigarettes in an effort to curb smoking rates.
2. Global Times, June 3, 2023: “Keep Hyping It Up! Canadian Reporter Claims to Witness a Chinese Warship Cutting off a US Warship and Forcing it to Divert, Almost Colliding? (继续炒作！加媒记者声称目睹中国军舰横切逼美舰改道，险些相撞？)
   
   This Global Times article criticizes a reporter from Canada’s Global News for publishing video of a near-collision between US and Chinese warships in the Taiwan Strait. The article states that “US and Canadian warships sail across the Taiwan Strait, and then publish the video – was the hype not enough? (美加军舰…过航台湾海峡并公开炒作还不够？). The article also quotes a PLA official who said that the US and its allies were “deliberately creating trouble, provoking risks, and undermining regional peace and stability” (有意制造事端，蓄意挑起风险，恶意破坏地区和平稳定).
   
   
3. Global Times, June 4, 2023: Teacher Shortages Becoming a Major Development Problem in Several Countries (缺教师正成为各国发展大问题)
   
   This Global Times article discusses teacher shortage problems in several countries, singling out South Korea, Germany, and Canada. It states that while Canada’s teachers have high incomes, there is a significant teacher shortage. The article attributes this to difficulty finding French teachers, changes in students’ choices in university major, and workload and salary issues.
   
   
4. China Daily, June 6, 2023: Canada Goose Launches Sanjiangyuan Corporate Responsibility Initiative to Protect Natural Diversity (Canada Goose加拿大鹅正式启动三江源企业社会责任项目，保护生物多样性)
   
   This China Daily article outlines Canada Goose’s first corporate social responsibility project outside of Canada: a project supporting biodiversity in Sanjiangyuan National Park in China’s Qinghai province and the Tibet Autonomous Region. The article provides a glowing review of Canada Goose’s corporate responsibility activities, quotes conservation officials about how helpful the project is, and cites other Canada Goose environmental protection projects, including fundraising for polar bear protection.
   
   
5. Xinhua, June 8, 2023: Bank of Canada Hikes Benchmark Interest Rate to 4.75% (加拿大央行宣布上调基准利率至75%)
   
   Xinhua published this article following the Bank of Canada’s announcement of a 25% raise of Canada’s benchmark interest rates to 4.75%. The article provides an overview of Canada’s rate hikes since the Covid-19 pandemic.  
   
   
6. China Daily, June 9, 2023: Events for Global Connectivity are Coming: Xishaoye’s Limited Edition Canadian Anniversary Event is Popular Again (跨国联动活动来袭 西少爷加拿大周年限定周边又火了)
   
   This marks the second consecutive month that Chinese chain Xishouye (known as Bingz in Canada) has received coverage in the Chinese media. This article discusses the restaurant releasing a limited edition refrigerator magnet to celebrate its second anniversary in Canada. This, according to the article, illustrates Xishouye’s strong branding capabilities, which have allowed the company to succeed in the mainstream western market.
   
   
7. People’s Daily, June 11, 2023: “Latest Developments: Zelensky Says Ukraine’s Offensive Has Begun, Russia Media Says Floods in Nova Kakhovka Have Basically Receded” (最新动态：泽连斯基说乌克兰已开始反攻 俄媒说新卡霍夫卡市洪水基本消退)
   
   The People’s Daily discussed Canada-Ukraine relations at length in a recap of recent developments Ukraine. The article describes Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Zelensky and pledged CAD 500 million in additional military assistance. It also states that during the trip, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s offensive had begun in a joint press conference with PM Trudeau. The People’s Daily also notes that the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement announcing that Canada would support Ukraine’s bid to become a NATO member. Trudeau’s visit to Ukraine was also covered in the Global Times.
   
   
8. Economic Times: “Tim Hortons Coffee Growing in the Chinese Market” (天好咖啡加码中国市场)
   
   This Economic Times article discusses the growth of China’s coffee market with a focus on Tim Hortons, which has recently expanded into China. The article includes an interview with the CEO of Tim Hortons China, who states that to succeed in the Chinese market brands should utilize online platforms and develop new products based on local tastes. The CEO states that the company is “optimistic about China’s long-term economic development, especially with regard to the long term growth of coffee consumption.” (我们非常看好中国长期的经济发展，尤其看好咖啡消费的长期增长空间.)  
   
   
9. People’s Daily, June 15, 2023: TOEFL Grades Can Be Used To Apply To Canada’s Student Direct Stream (托福成绩可申请加拿大学生直入计划)
   
   This People’s Daily article notes that the Canadian government approved the use of scores from the TOEFL English test for applying to the Canadian Student Direct Stream program, which provides expedited student visas for international students.
   
   
10. Global Times, June 16, 2023: “Canada Announces Sanctions on 7 Iranian Judges” (加拿大宣布对7名伊朗法官实施制裁)
    
    This brief article states that Canada sanctioned 7 Iranian judges, bringing the total number of sanctioned Iranians to 163, along with 192 organizations.
    
    
11. Xinhua, June 16, 2023: “National Defence Ministry’s Spokesperson Answers Reporter’s Questions on the Chinese Military’s Global Security Initiative (国防部新闻发言人就中国军队践行全球安全倡议等答记者问)
    
    Xinhua’s press conference recap details the Chinese Defence Ministry’s response to comments made by the Canadian Minister of Defense, Anita Anand (the article does not mention which marks specifically - but it is likely that it is referring to these remarks which were critical of China’s military actions in the Indo-Pacific). The spokesperson criticizes Anand, stating that China advocates for regional stability while Canada cooperates with the United States by conducting naval and air force operations in the Taiwan Strait. Thus, the spokesperson states that “ultimately, the international community can clearly see who is a ‘positive force’ in world peace and who is the ‘destroyer’ of global security (到底谁是世界和平的“正能量”，谁是全球安全的“破坏者”，国际社会看得清清楚楚).” The spokesperson concludes that Canada should be cautious when discussing China-related issues and “do more to promote regional peace and stability (多做些有利于地区和平稳定的事).”
    
    
12. People’s Daily, June 16, 2023: 15 Dead in Serious Road Accident in Canada (加拿大发生严重交通事故致15人死亡)
    
    This article discusses a tragic car crash in central Manitoba, which killed 15 people and injured 10. This was covered in all major Chinese media outlets. 
    
    
13. China Daily: Claims to “Investigate” AIIB Reveal Canadian Government’s Political Motives (宣称要“调查”亚投行 加拿大政府政治动机昭然若揭)
    
    This article (which is written in Chinese and English) discusses Canada’s recent decision to freeze ties with the AIIB. The article argues that the bank’s board of directors includes representatives from 11 countries, and that the bank’s globalized personnel structure makes it impossible for China to exert full control. It also argues that a Canadian withdrawal from the bank would “deal a heavy blow to the already frosty Canada-China relationship” (将对中国和加拿大之间本已冷淡的关系造成沉重打击). A similar article in the Global Times also quoted a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson who cited the bank’s global personnel structure and restated China’s commitment to “continue to work with all parties to uphold multilateralism”（将继续同各方一道，坚持多边主义).
    
    
14. People’s Daily, June 21, 2023: “From ‘Lai Pigs’ to ‘Canadian Beef’: Taiwan is Overwhelmed by Food Anxiety (从“莱猪”到“加牛” 食不心安笼罩台湾)
    
    Somewhat unusually, which countries Taiwan imports meat from is a contentious issue in the country’s politics, even resulting in a political referendum about the banning of US pork. This article discusses the recent controversy that has broken out in Taiwan over the repeal of a ban on imports of Canadian beef, which was done in part to facilitate Ottawa’s support for Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP. The People’s Daily criticizes the Taiwanese government for lifting the ban on Canadian beef due to political reasons, stating “how much is the health of Taiwanese people worth?... Why use ‘international participation’ as a blank cheque to sacrifice the food safety of the people?” (台湾人的健康一斤值几元?... 为何要用“国际参与”的空头支票来牺牲民众食安). A Global Times article also highlighted complaints from the Taiwanese internet over the ban’s repeal.
    
    
15. Global Times, June 24, 2023: “Surge! In May Canada Imported More Than 6000 Electric Cars from China, According to Bloomberg” (猛增！彭博：加拿大5月从中国进口了6000多辆电动汽车)
    
    This article notes that Canada’s imports of electric vehicles from China increased dramatically in May due to Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. It predicts that Chinese-made electric vehicles will continue to flood the Canadian market. The article also points out that while “the Canadian government has recently been concocting various issues to damage Canada-China relations… recently bilateral trade has been showing a positive trend (尽管加拿大政府近期不断炮制各种话题，破坏中加关系…今年以来，两国在经贸发展上一直呈现比较明显的增长态势.)
    
    
16. People’s Daily, June 26, 2023: “Chinese Canadians Rally in Ottawa to Reflect on the Dark History of the Chinese Exclusion Act” (加拿大华人在渥太华集会促反思“排华法”黑暗历史)
    
    This article references rallies held by Chinese Canadians on June 24^th to commemorate the passage of Canada’s Chinese exclusion act. It also discussed calls from Chinese community organizations to recognize the positive contributions made by Chinese Canadians in Canadian society. This story was covered in several news outlets.
    
    
17. Global Times, June 26, 2023: “Extreme Weather Raging Globally, How Do We Respond?” (极端天气肆虐全球，我们如何应对？)
    
    This article discusses the global rise in extreme weather. The first section of the article focuses on extreme weather events in Canada, including extreme temperatures, tornadoes, and severe wildfires. It concludes by discussing the importance of global cooperation to mitigate climate change and its impacts.
    
    
18. Guangzhou Daily, June 27, 2023: “Canada Opens Investigation into ‘Titan’ Implosion” （加拿大开始调查“泰坦”号内爆事故）
    
    The search for and subsequent implosion of the Titan submersible was covered extensively in Chinese media. This article notes that Canadian authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the implosion and are working to determine responsibility for the tragedy.
    
    
19. Global Times, June 27, 2023: “Out of a Field of 102 Candidates, Toronto Elects Zou Zhihui (Olivia Chow), The City’s First Chinese Female Mayor (邹至蕙在102名候选者中脱颖而出，多伦多迎来首位华裔女市长)
    
    Here, the Global Times provides a long and in-depth profile of Olivia Chow’s life and career. It notes her commitment to Canada’s Chinese community as a Member of Parliament, including advocating for motions condemning Japanese war crimes in World War 2, and the introduction of a bill to allow shop owners to detain criminals following the arrest of a Chinatown grocer who apprehended a thief. The article also states that Chow was attacked by “anti-Asian racists” (反亚裔种族主义者) who accused her of having Chinese government connections.
    
    
20. Global Times, June 28, 2023: “Canada Announces 2023 The Worst Year on Record for Wildfires” (加拿大宣布2023年成为该国有史以来森林火灾最严重的一年)
    
    Canada’s wildfires and the resulting smog that blanketed Canada and the US received extensive coverage throughout Chinese media. This Global Times article cites a report from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre stating that 76,000 km of forest has burned since January 1, surpassing all other previous years.

Key Points:

1. The Chinese media’s coverage of Canada in June was relatively positive. This stands in striking contrast to Canada’s overwhelmingly negative coverage in May, in light of Canada and China’s diplomatic spat over foreign interference. While May’s coverage predominantly focused on political issues and China and Canada’s strained geopolitical relationship, Canada’s coverage in June focused predominantly on economic and cultural factors instead.
   
   
2. It is also worth noting that the Chinese media had a relatively limited response to the Canadian government freezing ties with the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Media coverage of Canada’s move generally refrained from strong criticisms of Canada and focused predominantly on the bank’s international structure and China’s commitment to multilateralism.
   
   
3. Several aspects of the Canada-China economic relationship also received praise in the Chinese media this month. Two Canadian companies, Tim Hortons and Canada Goose, were positively profiled in the Chinese media, with articles quoting the companies’ leaders and citing Tim Hortons’ commitment to the Chinese market and Canada Goose’s sustainability projects in China. The Chinese media also noted the success of Chinese companies in the Canadian market, including the restaurant chain Bingz, and the increase in exports of Chinese-made electric vehicles to Canada.