Canada Almost Supported Democracy;
Date: Thursday, March 17 @ 14:45:29 CST
Topic: Canada
Conservative Release
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
China's threat should be taken seriously
Ottawa – Stockwell Day, Official Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic, said today that the statement by Minister Pierre Pettigrew on China's most recent threat against Taiwan should have been clear and not “couched in vague terms that came close to blaming Taiwan's democracy for China's aggression.”
“Last week in question period, and several times before, we gave the Minister clear opportunities to be outspoken about the aggressive nature of Communist China's so-called 'anti-secession' law. The minister missed the chance,” stated Day.
Day went on to say that now is clearly the time to show our concern by stopping the flow of millions of dollars in so-called ‘aid’ to China.
The government gives $54 million to China in aid annually, and has given over $1 billion over the last decade. “This needs to be put into context, as China has the world’s largest army, the world’s second largest economy with a projected growth of 8% for 2005, an aggressive space program and a very large nuclear weapons program,” added Day.
Canadian foreign aid policy of engagement further validates the Chinese government’s belief that they can get away with human rights abuses and military aggression.
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