Beijing should avoid ‘punishing’ Canada over Huawei case, cautions Ottawa’s ex-ambassador to China
- Further curbs may bolster rise of new government unfavourable to Beijing, says Canada’s former ambassador to China, John McCallum
- Expect Beijing-Ottawa relations to normalise ahead of 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, McCallum says
Canada’s former ambassador to China, sacked because of remarks he made in the wake of Huawei’s high-profile extradition case, said he has warned former contacts at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that any further “punishments” imposed on Canada’s exports could lead to a change of government that is unfavourable to Beijing.
“Anything that is more negative against Canada will help the Conservatives, [who] are much less friendly to China than the Liberals,” John McCallum, a veteran Liberal Party member, told the South China Morning Post in an interview in Hong Kong on Monday.
“I hope and I don’t see any reason why things will get worse, it would be nice if things will get better between now and [Canada’s federal] election [in October].”
McCallum also urged Canadian government officials and business leaders to keep up relationship-building visits to China in preparation for a normalisation in ties. He noted that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations on October 13, 1970.
“Canada is in China for the long run … this problem will pass,” he said. “It’s important for Canadian business people not just to come to China but to come often … especially when the going is tough.
“This will put our companies in a good position to do well when the going improves.”