Letter to the editor, Calgary Herald, published September 13, 2005

Re: Rights in China remain a wedge, September 10, 2005

Your editorial rightly points out that China's human rights record is abysmal and that until it improves, Canada should cut off any foreign aid to China. But Canada can do much more to pressure the Chinese government on human rights issues.

Firstly, Canada should pass the proposed "Taiwan Affairs Act" which would promote Canada-Taiwan relations and secure Canadian support for Taiwan's membership in the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Passage of this Bill would show that Canada rewards the democratic behaviour of Taiwan despite the objections of communist China.

Canada should also state its displeasure at the occupation of Tibet and East Turkestan. The Chinese government has cracked down on political dissent in those regions and conducted a campaign to destroy their culture. Prime Minister Martin can encourage greater Canada-Tibet exchanges with representatives of the Dalai Lama.

Finally, Canada should oppose the lifting of the European Union's arms embargo against China. Mr. Martin should join the voices of U.S. President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi in opposing the lifting of the arms embargo until China renounces the use of force against Taiwan.

Mr. Martin was correct in putting human rights at the top of his list of topics to discuss with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Now it is time for him to put his words into action.

Stan Lai,
Vice-President,
Formosan Association for Public Affairs Canada