Good Wednesday morning from Beijing where the lead editorial in the
China Daily — the government-owned main English language newspaper
here — features a lead editorial about Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s
visit.
The editorial notes: “The fact that he is accompanied by five
ministers, six members of parliament and 40 business executives indicates
his government is looking to garner lucrative business deals with China.”
There is no mention in the editorial that the Harper plans to raise
any human rights or democratic reform issues while he is here. But, reading
between the lines, the China Daily editorialists seem to brush off any
official Canadian concerns on this front.
Differences aside, there is no conflict of fundamental interests between
China and Canada. The growth in Sino-Canadian ties has brought concrete
benefits to both nations and at the same time promotoed peace, stability and
prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.For the smooth and healthy development of bilateral ties, both sides
should treat each other with respect, accommodate each other’s core
interests and major concerns, and appropriately handle sensitive issues. It
is hoped the two countries can make their relationship a model for relations
between two countries of different social systems and modes of
development.