Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing firm on his government鈥檚 response to the ongoing Hong Kong protests, despite increased caution from Chinese authorities to step aside.
While delivering a foreign policy speech in Montreal on Wednesday, Trudeau said his government is monitoring the situation in Hong Kong 鈥渃losely鈥� and despite political differences with China, Canada will continue to defend its values of human rights and international law.
鈥淎s a global community, we must recognize that China is a growing power and increasingly assertive towards its place in the international order,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut make no mistake: we will always defend Canadians and Canadian interests.鈥�
鈥淲e do not escalate, but we also don鈥檛 back down.鈥�
Over the weekend, Canada鈥檚 foreign affairs minister 鈥� who鈥檚 been actively trying to tame the volatile relationship between China and Canada 鈥� released a joint statement with her counterpart in the European Union condemning any violence between pro-democracy protesters and local police.
Geng Shuang, a spokesperson from China鈥檚 foreign ministry responded swiftly, demanding Canada stay out of all matters related to Hong Kong or risk facing greater repercussions, trade or otherwise.
鈥淲e demand the Canadian side to deeply reflect upon its mistakes, put itself in a right position, stop its wrongdoing before it鈥檚 too late, and exercise prudence in words and deeds on Hong-Kong-related issues. Otherwise, it will cause greater damage to our bilateral relations.鈥�
For China鈥檚 part, those bilateral relations have been greatly tampered due to Canada鈥檚 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, following an extradition request from the United States.
Two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, were subsequently seized by Chinese authorities days after Meng鈥檚 arrest. Trade disputes, including a Chinese ban on Canadian beef, pork, canola, and soybean imports ensued.
Trudeau in his speech said his government has been working tirelessly to secure their release.
In an interview with CTVNews.ca, former national security advisor Stephanie Carvin said this kind of soft diplomacy 鈥� striking with words, not action - is the best way forward when it comes to managing Canada鈥檚 relationship with the global superpower.
She says any further commentary on Hong Kong should not only be limited but once again made in partnership with Canada鈥檚 top allies.
"It鈥檚 a really delicate balance with China; you don鈥檛 want to frustrate them for no reason. At the same time, you can鈥檛 be seen as giving into bullying. So, when you are able to not only speak as Canada but speak in a multilateral statement that offers you some protection."
Carvin is adamant, however, that any tension with China won鈥檛 be resolved until the Meng Wanzhou case is handled, either with her release or extradition.
Video of Meng鈥檚 arrest at the Vancouver International Airport was made public Tuesday. Her legal team is arguing that she was unlawfully detained for multiple hours, while security officials searched her belongings.
Meng鈥檚 extradition hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.
