Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.

Good evening, everyone.

I would first like to thank you for inviting me to appear before the House of Commons special committee on Canada-China relations. I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to appear before your committee this evening.

I was appointed ambassador of Canada to the People's Republic of China on September 23, 2022, after serving in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2000 and then in Beijing from 2000 to 2004.

In my almost two years on the job, I have lived through the final stages of China's zero COVID policy, the gradual opening and the resumption of business as usual.

I came to China with a clear mandate from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, namely to strengthen our dialogue with China to support Canadian interests while defending and promoting our values at every step.

Since my first day in China, I have met with and continue to meet with a wide range of stakeholders in government, business and civil society in both China and Canada to better advance Canada's interests in China.

Our China strategy, which is part of Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, is being implemented through the greater China network. This network is made up of Canadian missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Hong Kong, as well as representatives from eight federal agencies and five provinces—Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

What does this mean, concretely? Underpinned by our Indo-Pacific strategy, I have five priorities for my team in China that we continue to deliver on.

First and foremost is ensuring the safety and security of Canadians and our missions. Our consular team is committed to assisting Canadians and their families in China, including advocacy efforts to ensure Canadians detained in China receive fair and equal treatment under local laws.

This entails engagement with Chinese officials, and I am pleased to announce that we re-established our consular dialogue this spring. Continuing engagement on consular issues with Chinese officials is essential to supporting Canadians on the ground in China.

The second priority is promoting democratic norms and effective multilateralism, including human rights, media freedom and respect for international law. In all of my interactions with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other interlocutors, global and sensitive issues such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, cross-strait relations and foreign interference are always at the top of my agenda.

I also regularly raise human rights issues with Chinese officials. This is an important part of my work, and our team is actively engaged on a daily basis in educating the Chinese public on Canadian values.

Tomorrow I'll be going to Xinjiang. It will be the first visit by a Canadian ambassador to the region in over a decade. I will use the opportunity to share Canada's concerns with regional leaders and to assess the situation on the ground.

The third priority is promoting Canadian trade and economic interests, including by advocating for the resolution of market access barriers. For example, we have resumed consultations with China's Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

However, let me be clear: It is not business as usual in the China market. Our trade commissioner service team works to ensure Canadian exports are treated no differently in that market from those of competitors from the U.S. or the EU, but we do it in a way that makes sure they are also aware of the risks, with eyes wide open. At the same time, there are sectors where we don't actively support the expansion of trade and investment, and we actively encourage Canadian businesses already active to diversify both within and beyond the China market.

Through our trade program within the greater China network, we help Canadian businesses trying to navigate the Chinese market find opportunities that are consistent with Canada's economic and national security interests. I returned to Canada to speak with with industry representatives, academics and provincial government officials to better understand the reality of today's China and what we mean by “informed engagement”.

Despite these challenges, China remains Canada's second-largest bilateral trading partner, even though only 4% of Canadian exports go to China. China's influence on global trade, the global economy and supply chains is a reality that requires active diplomacy.

My fourth priority is supporting the building of a sustainable green future, including climate change commitments. The environment remains an area of pragmatic co-operation and dialogue between Canada and China.

We have been working in close collaboration with the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development for over 30 years.

Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, went to Beijing last year and worked with his Chinese counterpart at the United Nations conference on biodiversity, or COP15, held in Montreal. These are examples of how we can work together on areas of common interest.

In addition, where it makes sense, we support Canadian clean-tech companies and their green growth solutions.

Finally, the fifth priority is supporting a high-performing China team and China expertise across the public service to help build China-focused analytical capability. I am pleased to report that our greater China network team is working to advance these priorities through constructive engagement and by building regular communication channels at all levels. This pragmatic diplomacy approach also means it will be clear about where our values and interests diverge. Visits such as the official visit by the deputy minister of foreign affairs in April are opportunities for productive and constructive discussions with senior officials.

We need to be realistic and clear-eyed about our expectations for engagement. However, the only way to understand each other and address very difficult issues is through communication. Minister Joly's and Minister Blair's recent discussions with their Chinese counterparts, in Munich and Singapore respectively, are proof of that.

I believe that dialogue helps to address misperceptions and potentially contributes to tangible progress on Canadian priorities vis-à-vis China.

With that, Mr. Chair, I'm very happy to take your questions.