New Canada ambassador’s China ties ‘may help ease troubled relationship’
- Dominic Barton’s extensive experience, including five years in Shanghai, will serve him well as Ottawa’s man in Beijing, analysts say
The new Canadian ambassador to Beijing’s extensive experience of living and working in China may help ease the ongoing diplomatic feud between the two countries, but a reset in relations would be difficult, according to observers.
Diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Beijing have been at a stalemate since December, when Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was detained in Vancouver at the request of the United States. Since then, two Canadians – former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor – have been detained in China, in what was widely seen as a retaliatory move.
Canadian exports to China – including canola seed, soybeans, pork and beef – have also been derailed by revoked licences, lengthy shipment investigations and other measures. Both governments also raised travel advisories to their respective countries in January.
Dominic Barton, who served as global managing partner at consulting giant McKinsey from 2009 to 2018, is Canada’s first envoy to Beijing since the sacking in January of previous ambassador John McCallum, over controversial comments in relation to the Meng case.
While he will face significant hurdles in trying to reset ties between Beijing and Ottawa, analysts said his strong ties to Asia would serve him well. Barton led McKinsey’s Asia practice for 12 years, including five in Shanghai.