Envoy wants 'more, more, more' from ties

John McCallum, Canadian ambassador-designate to China, speaks at a 2017 Chinese New Year Celebration Gala hosted by the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations on Feb 10 in Richmond Hill. NA LI / CHINA DAILY

A new chapter is in the making in Canada-China relations, which are set to flourish as Canadian Ambassador-designate to China John McCallum wants much more out of the fast-growing ties between the countries.

In fact, McCallum, 66, said that his mission to China could be summed up in three words: "more, more, more".

He elaborates that he is planning to "put meat on the bones" of the strong Canada-China friendship and to recover from the "10 lost years" under the previous Conservative government, whose embrace of China was seen by some to be slow, late and lukewarm.

"We will seek more trade, more investments, more tourists, more students, more environmental cooperation, more cooperation on health care, more cultural exchanges — more, more, more in these and many other areas — and in both directions," McCallum said in response to a China Daily questionnaire.

"The high-level meetings between the leaders of the two countries have resulted in‎ formal dialogue processes which will help to achieve our objectives," he said.

McCallum has all the makings of a great Canadian diplomat to China and a long engagement with the local Chinese community in Toronto. And the old adage that behind every successful man is a strong woman, who in this case happens to be Chinese, could also apply to McCallum in his mission to China.

Besides working on his knowledge of Mandarin, McCallum's personal life and work life have had Chinese connections dating back years.

"My wife and I are super excited to be going to Beijing to take up the role of Canada's ambassador to China, hopefully by mid March," he said.

As of now, the Chinese government has yet to give its official nod to his diplomatic credentials, but McCallum is ready to go and anticipates it will be around springtime.

Over the years, McCallum has developed strong ties with the Chinese-Canadian community. Still, he thinks he has much to learn about China.

"I am using the transition period to meet many people and improve my knowledge. I'm also planning to improve my Mandarin, which is very limited at this time," he said.

McCallum is familiar with Chinese culture, values and history. As a former minister for immigration, refugees and citizenshipp, he speaks highly of the respect and importance that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration accords to China.

Other causes for encouragement were Trudeau's visit to China in September last year for the G20 Summit in Hangzhou and a subsequent state visit, and Premier Li Keqiang's reciprocal visit to Canada shortly afterward.

Montreal-born McCallum has had a distinguished political career, having served briefly as Canada's defence minister in 2002-2003 and as veteran affairs minister subsequently. He was a chief economist at one time with the Royal Bank of Canada and is familiar with economic and trade issues.

He believes good relations could open up myriad opportunities for both sides, such as trade, investment, business, technological cooperation and other socioeconomic activities such as education and cultural exchanges.

"When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed me to this job, he told me that he attached a very high importance to China-Canada relations. He also said he would want to remain in personal touch with me to make sure we are moving effectively to deepen our ties with China," McCallum recalled.

In retrospect, it was Trudeau's late father, then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who was responsible for establishing diplomatic ties with China in the early 1970s.

It is evident that Chinese leaders are fond of the Trudeaus and are looking forward to a new chapter of cordial relations after some frosty chapters under the previous Conservative government.

Canada and China are about to begin exploratory discussions on free trade, and the issue of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement has been revived with urgency under Trudeau's Liberal Government.

McCallum said such an arrangement could be a win-win for both sides, but Canada would have to ensure that any free trade deal brings substantial benefits for ordinary working Canadians.

Canada's main trading partners are China and the US, but fears of a possible trade war between the world's two largest economies have perhaps goaded Canada, with its increasing international forays, to push for globalization and help China in that effort.

McCallum said: "It is too early to know what measures the US government might take regarding China, but Canada stands for stronger linkages as described above."

A report in the Tyee, an independent online news magazine, quoted Charles Burton, a China expert from Brock University, as saying that there are positive aspects to McCallum's appointment. His position in the Canadian government would give him status similar to ambassadors from countries like the United Kingdom or the United States.

According to CBC News, David Mulroney, Canada's former ambassador to China, also applauded the appointment. He believes that McCallum's economics background will help with exploratory talks for a possible free trade deal with China.

On the increasing flow of Chinese nationals — immigrants, tourists, students, businesspersons and investors — into Canada, especially over the last two decades, McCallum said much effort is being made to facilitate those movements.

Canada continues to welcome people from all parts of the world, and when McCallum was minister in charge of immigration, his office cut the processing time for immediate family members in half, from two years to one year.

"We will also make it easier for international students to become permanent residents and obtained an agreement from the Chinese government to open seven new visa-application centers, which will facilitate travel to Canada for Chinese people," he said.