Published: February 2, 2024
Edited by: Jeff Mahon

"2023 was not a good year for Canada‘s relationship with China or India, the Indo-Pacific‘s second largest market. While it‘s true that it wasn‘t all doom and gloom as trade numbers continued apace, and there were individual wins, the general view is that Canadian foreign policy ran into quite a few walls last year. For this issue, we‘ve sought the views of thought leaders who‘ve contemplated the state of affairs and can offer their insight on how we got here and where we might want to go next."

It is because the Western critique is not factually correct—and also because the aim of that critique is to trash the predominant role of China‘s state sector and its ability to sustain investment and production. The critique aims to distract attention from the reality that the Western capitalist economies (apart from the U.S. it seems) are floundering in stagnation and near slump".

“Syria and Iraq are sovereign countries,” said Wenbin. “China opposes any act that violates the UN Charter and infringes upon other countries‘ territorial sovereignty and security. The current situation in the Middle East is highly complex and sensitive.”
“China urges relevant parties to earnestly observe the international law, remain calm, exercise restraint, and prevent the tensions in the region from escalating or even spiraling out of control,” he continued.  .

"From January 29 to February 2, Canada‘s Foreign Interference Commission held preliminary hearings as part of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. The Commission was established by the Government of Canada on September 7, 2023, to 'examine and assess' two things. The first is 'interference by China, Russia, and other foreign states or non-state actors' in Canada‘s 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The second is 'the flow of information to senior decision-makers, including elected officials' and others, during and in the weeks following those two elections, and what actions these decision-makers took in response. On January 24, the Commission added India to the scope of its inquiry; however, the exact nature of the allegations vis-à-vis India remains unclear."

Published: February 6, 2024

Submission concerning allegations of foreign interference against Mr Erin O’Toole and Mr Kenny Chiu during the 44th General Election

"Dear Commissioner,
I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Public Inquiry on Foreign Interference (PIFI). As an Intervenor, I will be making submissions from time to time that I hope will be helpful to the work of the Commission. I share with you and all participants a common interest in identifying genuine cases of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 general elections and coming up with better ways to protect our democracy from such unwanted interference. At the same time, I believe we must be vigilant against an overzealous approach to foreign interference that results in the stifling of legitimate political debate, the stigmatization of Canadians, stereotyping of racialized communities, and the violation of fundamental rights..."

The group said it supports "a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in which the United States and China respect and recognize each other as equals."
It added that if "neither side demands absolute primacy" the risk to "global peace and prosperity" would be reduced. There has been no official comment so far from Washington or Beijing on the declaration.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 5:00-6:30pm PT
Where: Weiping Wu, Urban Planning, Columbia University Coach House, Green College, UBC and ONLINE

China‘s urbanization has evolved amid the interconnected forces of historical legacies, contemporary state interventions and human and ecological conditions. Embracing this notion, a new collection of work in the book China Urbanizing questions the conventional imagination centring cities in the West. This lecture highlights key conclusions and theoretical touchstones that have emerged. In addition to outlining new perspectives on the impacts of China‘s urbanization, Professor Wu will point to the transitions underway as well as the gravity of the progress, particularly in the context of demographic shifts and climate change.

The HCF study found that people in southern China are, to a large extent, alert to the impacts of climate change. They encounter the associated natural disasters, and health and travel issues and such encounters inform their understanding of climate change more than scientific facts or policy announcements related to China‘s emission-reduction goals.
In recent years, the central government has provided policy guidance for climate adaptation work. In 2013, came the “National strategy for climate change adaptation”, and in 2016 the “Action programme for urban climate change adaptation”. Then, in 2017, 28 municipalities were selected for pilot projects geared to developing climate-resilient cities.

An accomplished business leader and educator, Louie is passionate about building foundations for diversity and inclusions in his local community and nationally in Canada.
As a Chinese Canadian, Brandt Louie is no stranger to discrimination. Growing up in the family business, he witnessed firsthand how his father and others navigated discrimination and barriers due to the Chinese Exclusion Act which was repealed in May 1947. 

Published: February 2, 2024
Written by: Zen Soo

After a U.S. senator grilled the Singaporean CEO of TikTok about his nationality and suggested he was affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, Singaporeans are complaining about ignorant — or even racist — views of their country.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew and executives of other technology firms such as Meta, X and Snap testified Wednesday before U.S. lawmakers on online harm to children from social media.
During the hearing, Chew was repeatedly questioned about his nationality and possible affiliations to the Chinese Communist Party by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

Deadline: March 4, 2024
Program: Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program

The Chinese Ministry of Education and Global Affairs Canada are offering short-term (4 to 12 months) scholarships to Canadians wishing to study in China. Scholarships are awarded for studies, research, language studies or a combination of these activities at participating Chinese institutions.

·Program name: Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program
·Funding organizations: The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and Global Affairs Canada
·Applicants: Canadian students (college, undergraduate and graduate levels in Canada); Canadian faculty members and research staff at a post-secondary institution in Canada; Canadian mid-career professionals
·Number of scholarships: 18
·Duration: 4 to 12 months for students; and 8 weeks to 12 months for faculty members and mid-career professionals
·Scholarship inclusions: Airfare, tuition fees, monthly living stipend, on-campus accommodation and medical insurance
·Deadline for application: March 4, 2024

This [virtual] map offers geographical access to the collection of Chinese archival handbooks 档案馆指南 at the East Asian Library of Princeton University. Selecting any point of the map will show a list of relevant handbooks on the left. A link for each handbook provides access to the relevant record in the library catalog. For the vast majority of the handbooks the table of contents and the list of archival fonds 全宗表 have been scanned and are directly viewable from the linked catalog record and can also be downloaded as PDF files.

Published: January 2, 2024
Made by: The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Jessica Rawson, one of the world’s most eminent scholars of China, as they discuss Rawson’s book, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China. Listen in to learn about the roots of Chinese civilization through the stories of twelve grand tombs, each helping to reveal a pivotal phase in China’s history. 

Together, they discuss the political, geographical, technological, and cultural evolution of China. Professor Rawson offers profound and fascinating insights regarding one of the world's great civilizations. With deep insights gleaned from her lifetime of scholarship, and building on the latest archaeological findings, Prof. Rawson sheds light on the deep foundations of China’s unique culture, including the role of ancestor worship, physical geography, and farming systems in shaping China’s civilization. 

The trade was engineered by the British Empire, which exported Indian opium to sell to China to redress their great trade imbalance, and its revenues were essential to the empire‘s financial survival. Following the profits further, Ghosh finds opium central to the origins of some of the world‘s biggest corporations, of America‘s most powerful families and prestigious institutions (from the Astors and Coolidges to the Ivy League), and of contemporary globalism itself.

As the Chinese Lunar New Year is just around the corner, the strong atmosphere of the Year of the Dragon is already palpable not only throughout China but also across the world, which is also the first Spring Festival since the UN listed the Chinese Lunar New Year as its floating holiday in its calendar of conferences and meetings.  

With Chinese dragon-themed products selling rapidly overseas, there is also a growing interest among foreigners in discussing the Chinese zodiac signs, which could further promote Chinese culture globally, experts said. And in a complex international political environment, such cultural exchanges help foreigners gain a better understanding of the Chinese culture and China as a whole.

However, there is a movement, especially in Asia, to celebrate with the planet‘s well-being in mind. Not only are consumers making more ethical purchase decisions during the holidays, organizations like Greener Action in Hong Kong and businesses in Singapore have launched red-envelope recycling programs to address the waste problem.

The holiday prompts what is considered one of the world's largest annual human migrations as hundreds of millions of people travel back to their familial hometowns for the celebrations, which last up to two weeks. Certain foods are eaten only at this time of year. Often traditional costumes are worn. Celebrants gather to see parades and perform various rites and rituals with elders in order to guarantee a lucky year ahead.