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Chinese leaders chide Harper
Last Updated: Thursday, December 3, 2009 | 9:16 AM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a mild chiding Thursday on his visit to China.
In Beijing for his first-ever meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Harper was reminded that a Canadian prime minister had not visited in five years.
Wen said that duration without a visit was "too long."
In an earlier meeting, Chinese President Hu Jintao also pointed out twice that it was Harper's first visit. Harper said it has been five years since a Chinese leader visited Canada.
Despite the gentle proddings, Harper's visit to China seemed to be producing results.
In a joint communiqué, the countries said China will bestow the label of "preferred tourist destination" on Canada, a move that will make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Canada.
China will also open a consulate in Montreal.
Cool relations
Relations between Canada and China have been cool in recent years as Harper has pressed the Chinese government to improve its record on human rights.
In their joint communiqué, the leaders pledged to keep discussing human rights, trade and investment, and to co-operate on "green" technology.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called on Canada to deport Lai Changxing, who is accused by China of running a smuggling empire that netted him more than $10 billion. Changxing has taken refuge in Vancouver for the last nine years after fleeing China.
Chinese newspapers have taken a somewhat mixed tone toward Harper's visit.
On Wednesday, the government-run China Daily ran a story touting Harper's arrival as a sign that ties between the two countries may "thaw," while another article described Harper's visit as "late" but "still welcome."
An editorial in the Global Times, a publication of the country's Communist Party, accused Harper of criticizing the Chinese government to appease his electoral base, and of turning "a cold shoulder to China."
Last Updated: Thursday, December 3, 2009 | 9:16 AM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a mild chiding Thursday on his visit to China.
In Beijing for his first-ever meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Harper was reminded that a Canadian prime minister had not visited in five years.
Wen said that duration without a visit was "too long."
In an earlier meeting, Chinese President Hu Jintao also pointed out twice that it was Harper's first visit. Harper said it has been five years since a Chinese leader visited Canada.
Despite the gentle proddings, Harper's visit to China seemed to be producing results.
In a joint communiqué, the countries said China will bestow the label of "preferred tourist destination" on Canada, a move that will make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Canada.
China will also open a consulate in Montreal.
Cool relations
Relations between Canada and China have been cool in recent years as Harper has pressed the Chinese government to improve its record on human rights.
In their joint communiqué, the leaders pledged to keep discussing human rights, trade and investment, and to co-operate on "green" technology.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called on Canada to deport Lai Changxing, who is accused by China of running a smuggling empire that netted him more than $10 billion. Changxing has taken refuge in Vancouver for the last nine years after fleeing China.
Chinese newspapers have taken a somewhat mixed tone toward Harper's visit.
On Wednesday, the government-run China Daily ran a story touting Harper's arrival as a sign that ties between the two countries may "thaw," while another article described Harper's visit as "late" but "still welcome."
An editorial in the Global Times, a publication of the country's Communist Party, accused Harper of criticizing the Chinese government to appease his electoral base, and of turning "a cold shoulder to China."
