NO CHANGE IN CANADIAN VIEWS OF CHINA FOLLOWING

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001315 SENSITIVE SIPDIS D FOR KAYE LEE S/P FOR JAMES GREEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO CH CA SUBJECT: NO CHANGE IN CANADIAN VIEWS OF CHINA FOLLOWING BEIJING OLYMPICS REF: STATE 105510 ¶1. (SBU) Many Canadians viewed the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics through the prism of Canadian preparations for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and were deeply impressed by the smooth success of the sporting events in China, as well as by the dramatic new sporting venues. The Beijing Olympics received widespread and generally positive media coverage, not exclusively on events featuring Canadian athletes but also more broadly. There were nonetheless negative reports about internet restrictions, empty demonstration zones, the deception over the singing during the opening ceremony, the possibility that some Chinese gymnasts were underage, and chronic problems with air pollution. Some reports contrasted the high tech sporting infrastructure with other less developed parts of China, while usually noting the dramatic economic development over the past three decades. Prime Minister STEPHEN HARPER received some public criticism for his decision not to attend the opening ceremonies, although he did not link this decision specifically to human rights concerns. ¶2. (SBU) Despite the bump in attention during the games, China remains off the radar scope for most Canadians and not central to Canada's fundamental foreign policy interests, which focus primarily on the United States and on its commitment under NATO to Afghanistan. Canadians appreciate new economic and trade opportunities with China, while recognizing that about 80 pct of their exports go to the U.S. market. They retain fundamental human rights concerns about China, with special concern about Tibet; Canada has awarded the Dalai Lama with honorary Canadian citizenship, and PM Harper has met with the Dalai Lama in Ottawa. ¶3. (SBU) The 2008 election campaign platforms of both the ruling Conservative Party and the Official Opposition Liberal Party (which were likely written before the Olympics, although the Governor General did not call for new elections -- at the government's request -- until September 7) include only brief references to China. The Conservatives indicated that they would proceed with plans to open a trade office in China and other growing markets, but also promised to establish a new non-partisan democratic promotion agency (without linking this new agency with China specifically). The Liberals promised to "rebuild the economic and diplomatic relationship between Canada and China, a relationship frayed by Conservative grandstanding and showmanship" and to "give this relationship increased priority," notably to obtain "Official Destination Status" so that more Chinese tourists would visit Canada. The Liberals also announced that, if victorious, they would establish "Canadian Centres for Democracy" -- starting in the Middle East -- but did not indicate if they would seek such a center in China. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS