Canada’s diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China will reach the 50 year mark next year.  The period since China’s economic reform began in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping has seen a steady expansion of economic linkages between Canada and China, notably Chinese investment in Alberta – $50 billion.  Immigration, tourism, and cultural exchanges have all flourished. But the detention of a senior Huawei executive on an extradition warrant in Vancouver, followed by the detention of two Canadian citizens in China, who are accused of endangering China’s national security, has generated a diplomatic crisis between the two states.

Has the damage from these recent events permanently damaged our relationship with China? What are the prospects for Canada-China relations in the 21^st century? Professor Houlden will give his insights on these questions in his talk.

Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at Canadian Embassies in Havana and Warsaw, and at the Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining the University of Alberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia

3:30pm-5:00pm 

Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

Auditorium Room 150, Telus International Centre

 11104 87 Ave NW, Edmonton 

University of Alberta Main Campus

RSVP required