Martin begins 2-day stay in China
Last Updated Thu, 20 Jan 2005 09:20:14 EST
CBC News
BEIJING - Prime Minister Paul Martin signed a number of trade agreements and used private talks with China's leaders to raise the country's human rights record after arriving in Beijing on Friday.
INDEPTH: China
Prime Minister Paul Martin reviews an honour guard alongside Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Friday.
The prime minister is in China for two days of trade and investment meetings, in conjunction with a mission of more than 300 Canadian business leaders.
An honour guard of the People's Liberation Army played the Chinese national anthem as Martin appeared with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in a ballroom of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
With the Canadian business leaders looking on, Martin said the world has long known China would become an economic and global power.
"We are here today because we know that that day has come," he said. "It is here now."
The agreements signed Friday commit Canada and China to co-operate on cultural projects, find ways to meet Kyoto targets, and encourage resource companies in both countries to form partnerships.
Wen praised Martin and spoke of the mutual trust and respect between Canada and China.
FROM JAN. 14, 2005: Human rights overshadow Martin's China trip
Leading up to the meeting, Martin had said he would make use of that trust by raising Canada's concerns about China's repression of religious and political freedom, as well as its use of forced labour camps.
Martin also intended to raise the case of two Canadian journalists who were not allowed to accompany his mission. China refused their visa applications, and the journalists say it was because their network is critical of the Chinese government.
Canada's ambassador to China will also deliver a list of about a dozen specific cases of human rights violations that Canada wants resolved.
FROM JAN. 5, 2005: Martin alters plans, will visit tsunami zone
Martin left Canada late Friday night to begin a nine-day Asian trip that has already taken him to Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Japan.
After his meetings with China's leaders in Beijing, he will address a dinner hosted by the Canada-China Business Council.
He will wrap up his Asian journey in Hong Kong, where he will have more political and business meetings and attend a remembrance ceremony at a cemetery where many Canadians soldiers from the Second World War are buried.
Last Updated Thu, 20 Jan 2005 09:20:14 EST
CBC News
BEIJING - Prime Minister Paul Martin signed a number of trade agreements and used private talks with China's leaders to raise the country's human rights record after arriving in Beijing on Friday.
INDEPTH: China
Prime Minister Paul Martin reviews an honour guard alongside Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Friday.
The prime minister is in China for two days of trade and investment meetings, in conjunction with a mission of more than 300 Canadian business leaders.
An honour guard of the People's Liberation Army played the Chinese national anthem as Martin appeared with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in a ballroom of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
With the Canadian business leaders looking on, Martin said the world has long known China would become an economic and global power.
"We are here today because we know that that day has come," he said. "It is here now."
The agreements signed Friday commit Canada and China to co-operate on cultural projects, find ways to meet Kyoto targets, and encourage resource companies in both countries to form partnerships.
Wen praised Martin and spoke of the mutual trust and respect between Canada and China.
FROM JAN. 14, 2005: Human rights overshadow Martin's China trip
Leading up to the meeting, Martin had said he would make use of that trust by raising Canada's concerns about China's repression of religious and political freedom, as well as its use of forced labour camps.
Martin also intended to raise the case of two Canadian journalists who were not allowed to accompany his mission. China refused their visa applications, and the journalists say it was because their network is critical of the Chinese government.
Canada's ambassador to China will also deliver a list of about a dozen specific cases of human rights violations that Canada wants resolved.
FROM JAN. 5, 2005: Martin alters plans, will visit tsunami zone
Martin left Canada late Friday night to begin a nine-day Asian trip that has already taken him to Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Japan.
After his meetings with China's leaders in Beijing, he will address a dinner hosted by the Canada-China Business Council.
He will wrap up his Asian journey in Hong Kong, where he will have more political and business meetings and attend a remembrance ceremony at a cemetery where many Canadians soldiers from the Second World War are buried.
