Continuing to Build a Life-Long Friendship: Canada and China

The People’s Republic of China’s President Hu Jintao’s recent visit to Canada, coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation between Canada and China. We are optimistic that his visit will further enhance the friendship and cooperation between these two countries. The future holds tremendous opportunities for both Canada and China and it is with open optimism with which we observe and support President Hu’s visit.

As an active and very interested member of the Chinese community in Canada, I have the honour to witness the significant establishment and ongoing development of the diplomatic relationship between our countries over the last 35 years. Given my desire and interest in this dynamic country, I sought out the opportunity to undertake a role in encouraging and fostering friendship work between Canadians and Chinese. This work will always represent some of my most treasured memories and achievements.

One of the most important initiatives was the formation of the Montreal Canada-China Society in 1973. The first President of the Society, Professor Paul Lin, was able to establish a very good foundation for the Society given his previous working relations with China, along with his vast network of contacts within Canada. With the foundation that Professor Lin was able to provide, the Society was able to prosper and grow over the initial 10 years. The Society established nine branches throughout the province of Quebec, and had a membership of over one thousand people which included many Chinese-Canadians who still held strong ties, both personally and spiritually, to China. However, more surprising than the rapid growth of the Society, was that 90% of the membership was non Chinese. This segment of dedicated members was made up of Canadians interested in and intrigued by the Chinese history, culture and its people. The membership also consisted of scholars, intellectuals, physicians, lawyers, journalists, and politicians. In retrospect, perhaps the most important membership segment was a contingent of young adults and students full of energy and imagination. Through their tireless voluntarism and unselfish contributions, the Society was able to organize a broad range of activities to introduce the history of old China while also taking the opportunity to begin showing the recent social changes and the cultural identity of the new China.

An example of these activities is the China Pavilion Exhibition at Montreal Exposition: “Man and His World”. Beginning from 1973, the Society single handed supported the inclusion and promotion of the China Pavilion at the Exposition. The Pavilion ran for over ten years and was annually thanked by recording the largest number of visitors at the Exposition, as well as glowing reviews by critics and casual visitors alike.

The other major activities of the Society during the initial few years were focused on: introducing China to the Canadian public; providing hospitality to Chinese dignitaries, visitors and students; organizing information sessions on China and organization of tours to China in order to provide the opportunity for both Canadians and Chinese to gain a better understanding of each other. In retrospect, this work deeply affected our lives emotionally and shaped many of the friendships we still cherish today.

Five years ago, I was invited to write an article for Youxie entitled Unforgettable Days: Building Friendships (Voice of Friendship No.105, February 2001) as part of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation between Canada and China. In that article, I expressed my deep respect and wonderful memories of the numerous friends I have had the honour of knowing who dedicated so much of their energy to building friendship between the Canadians and Chinese.

The energy and initiative of the membership are still alive today. For example, one of our former executive members, Professor Sam Noumoff, recently published an article which examined a proposal to establish diplomatic relations between Canada and Taiwan. The article took an extensive look at the proposal and countered many of the ideas and rationales for the motion due to factual errors and/or incomplete analysis. This critical unification issue also prompted the Montreal Canada-China Society to utilise significant effort and resources to promote and the establishment of the Federation of Canada-China Friendship Association which supports the unification process of China’s mainland and Taiwan.

Over the past few years, several of us “old members” would get together and jokingly congratulate ourselves on the historic achievements we reached. However,

we all knew that a lot more work would be needed to continuing building the bridges between our two countries. Today, China has grown both economically and industrially establishing relations with countries all over the world in a wide variety of areas includingbusiness, trade, science & technology, academics, cultural, arts, education, and health.

For of those old members and new advocates of China, such achievements are the realization of dreams. However, another difficult task still looms, the unification of China’s mainland and Taiwan. This single process will require the understanding and support of all countries and governments. I strongly believe that a solid foundation for international relations relies on frequent contact, appreciation, friendliness and mutual trust among all people throughout the world.

As I talk with colleagues and friends about the past, as well as the road ahead, we sometimes worry that there will not be successors for the friendship work that will be needed to guide the fast growing globalization of the world.

(September 3, 2005)