Canadians Support PM/Dalai Lama Meeting - Tibetan Rights Trump Trade with China (SES Research Survey)

Nik,
I'm not sure that we can't have both, China will predictably huff and puff as they so often do regarding their issues with Tibet and Taiwan for that matter. Meeting with the Dalai Lama will turn out to be non-issue in due time and trade between Canada and China will continue status quo.
China needs our good as much as we need theirs, and some might say we could actually use a lot less of what they have to offer.

[updated Fri Oct 26 16:42:06 EDT 2007]

As Chretien said----"the last I heard, Canada is still a sovereign country". Of course we meet with decent world leaders who knock on our door and welcome them warmly but with others we are polite as diplomacy requires as we seemingly have to share a common planet with them. This is politics and politics does some strange things and is full of contrasts. Remember Trudeau went to China and was called everything in the book by the Americans until Nixon went to China and then suddenly it was the right thing to do. The powerful always try to keep the little guys in line-----little like the bully in the schoolyard. Of course, you do remember George W saying that----" you are either with us or with the terrorists"--that gave rise to Chretien's quote above.

[updated Fri Oct 26 17:07:01 EDT 2007]

You cannot mouth platitudes about human rights and when it comes to actually stand up for it then shy away from your beliefs when there is a choice between human rights and trade (the almighty dollar).
There is a balance of course like everything else but we need to ensure that we always side on the human rights side of the debate.
That doesn't mean we don't trade with China but it does mean we make sure they understand our position clearly.

[updated Fri Oct 26 20:00:48 EDT 2007]

This is a fascinating and difficult issue.

There is no question about China's brutal behaviour by our standards in Tibet. And the Dalai Lama personally is an admirable individual. However, pre-1949 Tibet was hardly a tranquil Shangri-La. It was a fairly brutal theocracy, where power was held by a small percentage of the people, most lived in poverty, and there was little or no possibility of changing that reality.

Historically, China does seem to have a claim to viewing Tibet as a province, although there are certainly differing opinions on the question.

I have no problem with Harper meeting with the Dalai Lama, although I doubt that it will have much effect. China will fume about it, but economic and political realities will take precedence.

It's interesting to note that the Dalai Lama has made it clear in recent years that he is no longer demanding independence for Tibet, but rather greater autonomy within China. His world presence may help with that more modest goal.

It's an issue that lends itself to a principled approach, but pragmatism will win out on oth sides.

[updated Fri Oct 26 20:03:39 EDT 2007]

Yes, Harper sjhould meet with the Delai Lama. He should meet with any civilized person who wishes to meet with him. If we can't maintain our way of life for fear of retatliation by a trade reduction, be it China, the US or anyone else, the what kind of country are we? If we can't be independent and stand on our own two feet by now we never will.

We can't make others see things our way but can show them how our way is better for us and maybe could be better for them.

Since Harper hasn't shown me that he has the concern for human rights as I would demand of him, maybe the question should be; 'Should the Delai Lama meet with Stephen Harper?' .

[updated Sat Oct 27 07:42:27 EDT 2007]

Hi,Nik

You're right! Freedom and Human Rights for Tibetan, for Chinese people and for all who still living under communists all much more important than trade relations with those countries.
Anybody who forgets this Canadian Tradition Value will not be a wise politician leader.

Henry Wei

[updated Sat Oct 27 19:58:30 EDT 2007]

China needs our nickle more than we need treir tainted food products and toys. so don't worry about china's concrns

[updated Thu Nov 15 09:16:45 EST 2007]

Canada seems more concerned about Burma's actions than China's. Why

[updated Thu Nov 15 09:18:56 EST 2007]