On February 19, 2009, at the invitation of the China Institute of the University of Alberta, H. E. Lan Lijun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada, attended the Symposium on "the Challenges Facing Canada's China Policy in the Face of the Global Financial Crisis" and delivered a keynote speech. Also present at the symposium were Hon. David Emerson, Former Minister of International Trade as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oryssia Lennie, Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification of Canada, Mr. Phil Calvert, Director General of North Asia Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Hon. Jim Kenyon, Minister of Economic Development of the Yukon Territories, Mr. Gerry Campbell, Former Canadian Consul General to Hong Kong, as well as nearly 50 representatives from the Canada-China Business Council, the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, the academia and business. Mr. Wu Xinjian, Consul General of China to Calgary, also participated in the event.

In his speech, Ambassador Lan briefed the participants on the great historic changes in China since the introduction of the reform and opening-up over the past 30 years and the development of the China-Canada relations. Mr. Lan said, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1970, China-Canada relations have grown substantially in breadth and depth. The growth of China-Canada relations has not only brought benefits to the two countries and the two peoples, but also contributed to world peace and development. Over the years, economic interests of China and Canada are becoming ever more interconnected. Coordination and cooperation between the two countries in international affairs have been expanding. The Channels for dialogue and communication between the two countries have been broadening. Ambassador Lan pointed out that there are still some challenges facing the bilateral relations. Economically speaking, the bilateral trade volume between China and Canada makes up less than 5% of each other's total foreign trade mix. Canadian investment in China only accounted for 0.3% in its overall investment abroad in 2007. Chinese investment in Canada trails in comparison with its economic activities in other parts of the world. This is out of synchronization with the magnitude and complementary nature of the two economies. Politically speaking, the bilateral relations have suffered some unfortunate setbacks and the two sides do have some divergence. However, what is more important is that the two sides should conduct friendly cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs , which serves the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples. Especially in the face of the worst economic and financial crisis in recent memory, coordination and collaboration between the two countries has become all the more essential.

Ambassador Lan said that against the backdrop of a complex and volatile international situation, with Canada being a major natural resources power in the world, and China being the largest developing country in the world and the fastest developing economy recently, the two countries face more common challenges and shoulder greater responsibilities. The two sides should work hard to deepen cooperation and build an enduring and stable framework for China-Canada relations. To this end, the two countries should, first of all, continue to view and handle China-Canada relations from a long-term and strategic perspective and maintain their right direction. Secondly, the two sides should judge each other in an objective and sensible way and further enhance mutual trust. Thirdly, they should expand exchanges and cooperation and work together to promote common interests. Fourthly, they should properly handle differences and sensitive issues and prevent them from hampering the overall interests of bilateral relations. Fifthly, they should actively promote people-to-people exchanges and build stronger popular support for the development of friendly relations between China and Canada. Ambassador Lan finally called on the participants to join hands and work for the stable and healthy development of the China-Canada relations.

Ambassador Lan then answered questions on the various levels of exchanges between China and Canada, human rights, anti-terrorism as well as regional cooperation in the Asia Pacific.

This is the second policy symposium on Canada-China relations held by the China Institute of University of Alberta.