Canadian-Asian Affairs

The possibility of a ban in the United States on horse slaughter for human consumption has led Japan to express its non-chalance. Japan, a major market for horse meat, points out that a very small amount of it's annual consumption of horse meat is of American meat. Furthermore, Canadian exports are expected to remain unchanged, or even increase to compensate for the lack of slaughter facilities in the USA.

Link: http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2/ff8080810d8f7410010da8a1ef51007b.do.html

Posted by Ryan at 06:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are unconfirmed reports that Huseyin Celil has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Chinese authorities. Celil's sister claims police officers in Xinjiang have made the sentence public. That said, neither the Canadian nor the Chinese government has confirmed the reports.

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060911.CELIL11/TPStory/National

Posted by Ryan at 06:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In an acknowledgment that the Chinese-Canadian relationship is not all it could be, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has issued a report urging the federal government to consider that the diplomatic relationship between the two countries can have a significant impact on their economic relationship.

It is generally considered that Harper's Conservatives more hardline approach towards the China question has been less than ideal for the state of Canadian-Chinese business relations. The moderately more ideological Conservatives have stood up to what they perceive to be an anti-democratic dictatorship on a number of fronts. Previously the more pragmatic Liberal governments were of the mind that currying favour with the Chinese would ultimately bring more influence while also keeping the economic relations in good standing.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/060912/b091256.html

Posted by Ryan at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto has announced the opening of a new performance space, in which to hold events including, of course, performances of a Chinese cultural nature.

Link: http://torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2006/09/09/1818231-sun.html

Posted by Ryan at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've linked to a story from the people's daily. It will give a good idea of the official Chinese take on the Canadian government's relationship with the Dalai Lama.

Have a read, and enjoy the thinly veiled threats disguised as quotes from Chinese academics.

Link: http://english.people.com.cn/200609/09/eng20060909_301160.html

Posted by Ryan at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Increasing development in Asia is being fingered as the source of a significant proportion of pollution in North America. I've linked to a CP article specifically addressing atmospheric mercury pollution. It is estimated that about 20% of Canada's atmospheric mercury is coming from Asian countries. China alone accounts for about one quarter of the world's mercury output.

The issue of pollution from developing countries is a touchy one. The West pushes for improved pollution controls in the developing countries. The developing countries respond by pointing to the West's lacklustre pollution control record in the past, and claim that it is unfair to ask them to struggle under more stringent and difficult restrictions.

Link: http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/National/2006/09/08/1813767-sun.html

Posted by Ryan at 08:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Dalai Lama is on a visit to Vancouver, his first Canadian visit since he was granted honourary Canadian citizenship. The amount of attention he is receiving from Canadian politicians is guaranteed to vex Chinese authorities.

Link: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=3c9cc3b8-6e43-4628-a122-cdc00b06b160&k=13399

Posted by Ryan at 07:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)