The Chinese Perspective On Harper's Tour To China
Here is an editorial from the China Daily on Harper's visit to the Peoples Republic of China:
"Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make his first visit to China since taking office in 2006. He is aiming to not only boost trade but repair a strained relationship.
Harper, leader of his nation's Conservatives party, will be in China from Dec 2-6, a trip that former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien, a Liberal, said is "better late than never".
Foreign experts noted that Harper's rationale to visit China is based on the global economic recession.
"Canada is committed to a strong relationship with China that reflects our mutual respect and the need for practical cooperation," Harper said in a statement.
Trade has been developing between the two nations recently. Oil producer PetroChina agreed in August to purchase a 60-percent stake in two oil sands projects in western Canada for $1.7 billion. The MacKay River and Dover oil sands projects owned by private Athabasca Oil Sands Corp are located in the northeastern part of the Alberta province - Harper's base of support.
Trade volume between China and Canada reached $22.9 billion, an increase of 2.9 percent, during the first half of 2009."
China Daily Online
Background ....
-Harper's Hard Line With China Is Costing Canada Millions
-Chinese paper reports Harper snub
-Harper's Conservative Ideology Has Hampered Business Relations With China
and .... 'How do you talk to a dragon?
Cartoon by kind permission of
Graeme MacKay at mackaycartoons.net
