Opinions of China low

Canadians continue to feel positive about its Asia-Pacific neighbours – with one significant exception, an Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada national poll (AFP) has revealed.

The exception is China.

The country, increasingly defiant of the West in areas ranging from Hong Kong, the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and Huawei 5G networks to the Meng Wanzhou arrest, the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and the origins of COVID-19, now scores only a 3.6 out of 10 in terms of favourability.

“Canadians clearly hold the view that Canada must move forward in Asia, but in a way that upholds our core values, respects human rights and sustainability, and provides economic benefits to all Canadians,” Beck said.

Soruce: Castanet #Nov27

https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/317690/Canadians-embrace-Asia-Pacific-neighbours-except-China-poll

#AFP #Canada #China #AsiaPacific

Canadian Parliament Passes First Reading of Taiwan-Relations Bill to Strengthen Ties

Following the passage of a series of bills in the United States to enhance relations with Taiwan, the Canadian House of Commons recently passed the Canada-Taiwan Relations Framework Act on first reading by unanimous applause.

The bill, introduced by Conservative Representative Michael Cooper, provides a basis for normalizing Canada's relations with Taiwan and for Taiwan's international standing. The bill contains nine provisions covering legal designation, property, legal capacity, intergovernmental agreements and reciprocity, as well as providing for parliamentary oversight. Of greater interest is the renaming of the Taiwan government's representative office in Canada as the "Taiwan Representative Office", relaxing visa requirements for unofficial visits to Canada by Taiwanese officials, and allowing Canada to enter into agreements with Taiwan and treat the Taiwanese government as one of the foreign governments. Canada will also be concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with the bill, and will view sanctions, embargoes and other non-peaceful means against Taiwan as a threat to the Asia Pacific region, and the Canadian government should speak out on this issue.

Source: Stand News #Jun19

#Canada #Taiwan #AsiaPacific

https://bit.ly/3zju5jl

Solomon Islands and China to sign security agreement, Australia, New Zealand worry about stability in region

At a glance:

- Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has said publicly that a security cooperation agreement with China has been finalised and is ready to be signed, and has texted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the development. Sogavare also said that Morrison’s criticism of the country's agreement with China is 'very insulting'.

- Australia's High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Lachie Strahan, said on a social media site that Australia was concerned about a security cooperation agreement to be signed between the Solomon Islands and China

- The agreement is seen as potentially leading to the establishment of a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman in Beijing, Wang Wenbin, asked rhetorically, “Who is building the militarised cabal that will bring the risk of nuclear proliferation to the Pacific?”

-Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare said the country's security cooperation agreement with China has been finalised and is ready to be signed.
Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have expressed concern about a possible security cooperation agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, which could lead to the establishment of a Chinese military base in the Pacific Islands Region.

Source: SBS Australia #Mar29

https://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/cantonese/zh-hant/as-concerns-grow-over-solomon-islands-china-pact-here-s-how-it-could-impact-the-pacific-region

#AsiaPacific #PacificIslandsRegion #Oceania #China #SolomonIslands #Australia #ChineseForeignMinistry #WangWenbin #ManassehSogavare #ScottMorrison #Chinesemilitarybase #securitycooperationagreement