The Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement signed an open letter and to stand with members of the Canadian Coalition on Human Rights in China.

"We wish to express our deep concern regarding Prime Minister Carney’s forthcoming visit to China," a statement reads

At a time of escalating human rights abuses and transnational repression, we believe it is imperative that Canada’s highest political leadership place human rights at the forefront of all high-level engagement with the Chinese government.

Canadian PM Mark Carney is on a state visit in China. Back in April, Mr. Carney said China is the largest threats with respect to foreign interference in Canada and is an emerging threat in the Arctic.

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[–] shawn1122@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I appreciate that Carney is a pragmatist. With the way the world is today, that is the only successful strategy.

Geopolitically Canada is in a bit of a bind with everyone's big brother in the West (US) turning heel so it makes sense to have good trade relationships with other large economies.

Trump has accelerated the expansion of fault lines in the West so if there ever was a time to hedge and diversify, it's now.

Carney is similarly approaching a normalization of trade relations with India which is wise given their demographic dividend and growth trajectory. It would be short sighted not to do that.

There are issues with China's brand of capitalism, no doubt. There is a touch of imperialism sure, but Canada is used to having strong relationships with imperial entities. Specifically, Britain and then the US. Although, both are Anglo Saxon so they may feel more familiar and that familiarity likely may make it easier to turn a blind eye to their misdeeds.

In any event Canada is used to dealing with big whales that occasionally do bad things so hopefully Carney can find points of leverage and use that to arrive at an agreement that is advantageous for the Canadian people.