CACN – Canada-China Key Messages (Global Affairs) - Nov 16, 2020

Canada-China Relations: Top Messages

• Canada recognizes China’s importance in global affairs.
• Canada will continue to stand up for values such as human rights and democracy. At the same time, Canada will continue to look for ways to work with China on common interests.
• People-to-people ties between Canada and China remain strong, and Canadians of Chinese ethnicity are an important part of Canada’s multicultural fabric.
• The Government of Canada deplores China’s arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
  • Securing the release of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor is a priority of the Government of Canada. Regular consular access must be restored.
  • The Government of Canada continues to call on China to grant clemency to Robert Schellenberg and all Canadians facing the death penalty in China.

Canada-Hong Kong: Top Messages

• The recent imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong raises concerns over the future of Hong Kong’s independent judiciary and the future of human rights in the Special Administrative Region (SAR).
• Direct imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong, without the engagement of Hong Kong’s own institutions as provided for under the Basic Law, seriously undermined the confidence of the people of Hong Kong, as well as the international community, in the integrity of the One Country, Two Systems framework, and in Hong Kong’s role as global hub.
• Canada announced a series of measures on July 3, 2020 in response to the implementation of the National Security Law, including export control measures, the suspension of the Canada-Hong Kong extradition treaty and an update on the travel advice for the SAR. Additional measures are being considered, including visa and immigration related measures.
• Canada continues to support the right of peaceful protest and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and freedoms under the Basic Law and the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.
• Canada’s latest statements on the situation in Hong Kong are listed here for reference:
  • May 22: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/joint-statement-by-canada-australia-and-united-kingdom-on-hong-kong-national-security-legislation.html
  • May 28: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/joint-statement-on-hong-kong--canada-us-uk-and-australia.html
  • August 9: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/08/statement-on-the-erosion-of-rights-in-hong-kong.html

Xinjiang

• The Government of Canada is alarmed by the reports of mass arbitrary detention, repressive surveillance, torture, mistreatment, forced labour, forced sterilization and mass arbitrary separation of children from their parents affecting Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang, under the pretext of countering extremism.
• The Government of Canada urges Chinese authorities to release Uyghurs and others who have been detained arbitrarily based on their ethnicity and religion.
• Publicly and privately, in multilateral fora as well as in bilateral dialogues, Canada has consistently called on the Chinese government to address and end the repression in Xinjiang.
• Canada, along with several other countries, has called on the Chinese government to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Procedures immediate, unfettered, and meaningful access to Xinjiang.