Chinese in Vancouver

The Chinese Diaspora - Torn Between Identities I

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:19:08 -0500

Last year, I've written an article for a Sinagporean magazine about the Chinese diaspora. As there seems to be a resumed interest from the western world in learning about how overseas Chinese think as the Beijing Olympics is just 2 weeks away, it might be a good time for me to post my article now. It's quite a long article and is the unedited version. I will separate the article into 5 parts.

THE CHINESE DIASPORA – TORN BETWEEN IDENTITIES

INTRO

Chinese have a long history of migration to North America traceable to as early as the 1780s. The road to adaptation to either the Canada or the US society has never been easy for Chinese immigrants. It has been a history of rejection, assimilation, skepticism, cultural conflict and distrust.

The rise of China is a double-edged sword to the Chinese diaspora. On one hand, a strengthening China helps raise the status of Chinese living overseas. Canadian and American enterprises hoping to do business with China are more interested in hiring Chinese employees. Trade blossoms. “Lao wai’s” are learning Mandarin.

On the other hand, the “China Threat Theory” that comes with the rise of China continues to dominate many westerners’ minds. In Canada, the unfriendly attitude towards China of the new Conservative government that took power one and a half years ago has effectively fanned – with the help from the mainstream media - anti-China sentiments across the country. Many of the Tories’ moves are ideologically based. Prime minister Stephen Harper is eager to show his innate disgust of communism in manner much like during the Cold War. At the same time, he shows little willingness to learn about the modern definition of the word “China”.

Things get more complicated when a group of immigrants from China recently established the “first Chinese Canadian political party” in Vancouver. The party’s inaugural mission was to focus on issues that were important to all Chinese immigrants, mainly finding jobs commensurate to their education and other settlement problems. However, rather than raising the public awareness to the struggle and hardships faced by many Chinese immigrants to Canada, the National Alliance Party (NAP) received an almost unanimous negative backlash from the mainstream society, accusing it for being racist and reinforcing segregation. It also sparked a new wave of public debate which argues against Canada’s proud policy of multiculturalism. Criticisms are also directed against immigrants, particularly the Chinese, for not adapting to the Canadian way of living, rather, are urging Canadians to change to accommodate their needs. The inauguration of the NAP has ignited nationwide debate on which countries should immigrants show their loyalty to? Their home countries? Or Canada?

A provocative op-ed article published in a local newspaper asked: "What if BC became a Chinese province?" The writer, presumably white, wrote:

I suggest that a majority British Columbian, Chinese speaking, ethnic Chinese population will have a greater affinity to the Peoples’ Republic than to Canada or the United States.

Is that really so?

The Chinese community in Canada has never been a homogeneous group. Based on their background and where they come from, their experience as an immigrant and their identity and sense of belonging to their home or host country can be very different.

We try to approach this complex issue with one simple but representative question being put to our interviewees:

“If Team Canada faces off with Team China (or Hong Kong, Taiwan for some interviewees) in an Olympic game or World Cup soccer game, which team would you cheer for?”

The people interviewed here come from a diverse background: from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Canada (Canadian Born Chinese). Their stories are telling us that the Chinese diaspora are faced with confusion and contradiction when their motherland – China – is rising rapidly in the world’s stage.

READ:
The Chinese Diaspora - Torn between identities I
The Chinese Diaspora - Torn between identities II
The Chinese Diaspora - Torn between identities III
The Chinese Diaspora - Torn between identities IV
The Chinese Diaspora - Torn between identities V

The Chinese Diaspora - Torn Between Identities II

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:19:26 -0500

Case 1: Hong Kong immigrant

Sang Leung is a family man in his mid-40s who emigrated from Hong Kong seven years ago. He is a huge soccer fan and he plays soccer with friends every week.

“Really, it doesn’t matter to me which team (Canada or China) wins if they are in a, say, world cup game,” Leung said. “I’ll be equally happy if either wins.”

Before immigration, though, Leung was a devoted fan of Team China.

“I’m now a Canadian, holding a Canadian passport. Although I have dual citizenship in both countries, I think my loyalty lies with Canada because it has given me and my family such a wonderful life,” said Leung.

“Sometimes, it’s more of a responsibility or duty for me to be loyal to Canada.”

In fact, he’s acting more Canadian, too. For instance, he volunteered as a witness in a recent car accident although he was actually hurrying to work.

“If I were in Hong Kong, I’d just drive by and go. Hey, what does that have anything to do with me, right?”

But now he would stop, help out and take note for the parties involved. And, in Canada, most bosses are OK that their staff are late to work because of helping out someone on the road.

“This is a very obvious change that I notice of myself after living in Canada for seven years,” Leung giggled.

Nonetheless, Leung’s self identity gets more confused when asked if he considers himself a “Hong Konger” or a “Mainlander”.

He paused for a few seconds and said: “I’d say I’m ethnically Chinese and I’m from Hong Kong. But I can’t describe myself being a ‘Mainlander’.”

Same confusion when Leung was asked if it was Team Hong Kong that competed with Team China in a soccer tournament, which team would he cheer for? His answer came quick and clear: “I’d want Team Hong Kong to win.”

The Chinese Diaspora - Torn Between Identities III

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:19:51 -0500

Case 2: PRC immigrant

Liang Feng, a Beijing immigrant in her mid-30s, admits she is always confused whether she should describe herself as a Canadian (or Chinese Canadian) or Chinese.

“For instance, I’m travelling to Beijing next month. But I’ll tell my friends that I ‘hui guo’ (回國) or “return to the motherland” but not ‘going to China’.”

“When I say ‘hui guo’, everyone knows ‘guo’ means China,” Feng said.

“Officially, I’d say I’m a Canadian,” she added. “But if I were asked ‘where are you from?’ I’ll answer: China.”

What about Team Canada vs Team China?

Feng said many of her friends will have no hesitation backing Team China. She said the education they received in China teaches “collective pride”.

For her, a game, is only a game.

“I wouldn’t wish which team should win.” However, “if there are some famous ‘stars’ in the Chinese team such as diver Guo Jingjing, I’d want China to win,” Feng smiled.

“So it’s really on a case by case basis.”

Feng has been in Canada for seven years and has a Canadian passport. She believes the rise of China brings a lot of impact to her life in Canada.

“The stronger China is, the more strength or bargaining chips overseas consulates have.” To Feng, Chinese consulates offer a sense of safety that she can rely on when necessary.

“The Taipei economic offices overseas (serve similar function as consulates) can’t do anything. But the Chinese consulates are different,” Feng said with pride.

On the other hand, Feng does feel shameful for many bad things China does. “Tainted toothpaste, pet food, and so on… it’s such a shame.”

Apart from that, though, Feng is a bit worried about the current frozen relationship between China and Canada.

She said the former Canadian government under the Liberal Party might act too naïve or too optimistic at times that one wondered if they understood China at all, “but they were truly good to the Chinese.”

Feng said the current Conservative government deliberately bashes China on almost every issue.

Feng has all the legitimate reasons to be worried. Since the Conservative took over power in January 2006, there have been numerous scuffles which quickly sank the China-Canada relation to the bottom of the frozen sea. Some analysts describe this is the worst time between the two countries since Canada normalized relation with China in the 70s.

Some of the cross fires include Harper and foreign minister Peter MacKay publicly said that there were over 1,000 Chinese spies operating in Canada. Harper said he would bring this to the Chinese leaders and tell them Canada is concerned.

Even under the pressure from Canadian businesses that the government should rebuild a better relation with China for the obvious economic reason, Harper still dared to say that he would not trade human rights with “the almighty dollar.”

“There is a hidden danger for more massive anti-Chinese movements or sentiments in Canada,” Feng said. “That has happened before (referring to an era when Canada stipulated the Chinese Exclusion Act to ban Chinese from coming in the 1890s). Who knows? It might happen again. It really depends on how far the Conservatives want to go.”

Feng tries to remain optimistic. “At the end of the day, national interests come first. The Tories wouldn’t be able to completely overturn a Canadian policy which has set its roots for over 30 years - with success.”

The government might be anti-China, Feng wants to stress that she is not experiencing any anti-Chinese attitude in her daily life.

“Canadians are very friendly. This hasn’t changed.”

The Chinese Diaspora - Torn Between Identities IV

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:20:09 -0500

Li Su is a new immigrant from Taiwan. She has called Canada home for less than three years. Just like Sang Leung, Su has got entangled in a web of sometimes conflicting identities.

“If Team China vs Team Canada, I’d hope China win,” Su said. “But if Team Taiwan vs Team Canada or Team China, I’d definitely cheer on the Taiwanese.”

Su considers herself a Taiwanese with Chinese ethnicity. She has strong identification with Taiwan.

But why would she want Team China win if it was to compete with Team Canada?

“China represents Chinese. No matter what your political point of view is, Taiwanese are ethnically Chinese and other people see so,” Su said. “If China wins, all Chinese share the glory.”

She seems to realize that her status in a foreign land is closely linked to the “motherland” China, ironically, whose communist regime is considered by many Taiwanese as invasive and threatening.

“People look down on you if your ‘motherland’ is weak,” Su sighed.

Su also thinks a rising China has only positive influence on the overseas Chinese. “Western businesses need to hire Mandarin-speaking staff to bridge them to the China market.”

For those westerners who sincerely want to deal with China, they will be good to the Chinese overseas too. “That’s how the status of overseas Chinese would be raised.”

Though her life in Canada has just begun, she already identifies strongly with the newly adopted country. “I’d say I’m a Canadian. I want to live here forever.”

Su said the political atmosphere in Taiwan has broken her heart and smashed any hope she might have for the future of Taiwan.

“I can’t see there are any qualified politicians who have a far-enough insight into building Taiwan,” Su said. “They are all fighting for short term interests – self interests.”

But she finds herself in conflict at times. For instance, while the Conservative government doesn’t like to mix with China, it is very friendly to Taiwan. When the Tories were still in the opposition, they had proposed a controversial “Taiwan Relation Act” which aimed to upgrade Canada’s diplomatic relation with Taiwan. The bill was eventually killed in the parliament, but the Taiwanese remember well the friendly gesture and are thankful to the Tories.

“In a way, the Tories’ anti-China attitude is a good thing to the Taiwanese.”

On the other hand, Su sees China being a strong country which can’t be defeated by a group of Canadian Tories yelling and pointing fingers at it.

“Seeing China as an enemy is wrong for Stephen Harper. China will only grow into a stronger nation and it has the ability to endure hardships, let alone empty criticisms.”

Just like everybody else, Su believes antagonizing China isn’t in the best interest for Canada. Sooner or later, Stephen Harper will have to face the reality. The price will be too expensive for Canada if Harper continues to act on his ideological grandstanding, she said.

The Chinese Diaspora - Torn Between Identities V

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:52:06 -0500

Case 4: Canadian born Chinese

“I'd definitely cheer for Canada. But if Canada were not playing, I'd cheer for China against any other nation,” said David Wong, a Canadian born Chinese whose ancestors were Chinese pioneers who came to Canada 100 years ago.

Unlike the newer immigrants, Wong has less an identity crisis. “I am and will always be loyal to Canada, as I see myself as a pure Canadian with proud Chinese roots... and am proud of my family's contributions in helping build this young nation: Canada.”

Being a multi-generational “banana”, Wong and his family have witnessed the dramatic change Chinese Canadians are treated, and he attributes much of that to the rise of China.

He’s both excited and cautiously concerned about China’s rising. “Excited because I am living this moment in time that many of my ancestors had wanted to experience during their lives... and concerned because the path to which China rises to will depend on the abilities and quality of her leaders.”

One of the interesting observations Wong has with China's rise is the dissolution of the glass ceiling in its old form, and now being re-installed in a new, but ironic form.

“In its old form, the Chinese here in Canada had historically never occupied real business leadership roles - as can be gleaned from historic evidence in the make up professional firm names (eg. Chinese names were rarely seen in partnership titles).”

Wong said that has changed after Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing bought the entire old Expo 86 lands which then many saw as with minimum value, although they were located by the water and close to the downtown core. The area called “False Creek” has been molded into one of the most expensive residential and commercial properties in Vancouver.

“Since then, we saw an explosion of Chinese names onto the titles of law firms, accounting firms etc. Now we see businesses and political parties trying to figure out how to appease to the Chinese - by inviting persons with Chinese names onto their boards - whether or not the person is qualified, and printing their swag in English and Chinese (not French, supposedly is one of Canada’s official languages).”

“Now comes the new form of glass ceiling. The new inherent barriers are now imposed by the local (Canadian) Chinese themselves upon each other,” he was referring to the self-discrimination and tension among groups of Chinese Canadians such as mainlanders vs Hong Kongers, mainlanders vs Taiwanese, new immigrants vs old immigrants, and immigrants vs CBCs.

While Wong hopes to see more Chinese Canadians entering politics, but unfortunately it looks like that the good ones don't bother. Wong has been active participating politics from “behind the scene”, such as nurturing Chinese politicians and help them run in offices.

“Many of the better and smarter Chinese Canadians do not view political office as a job of high integrity,” he said. “Unfortunately, that opens the door to a lot of opportunistic Chinese Canadian candidates - who attempt office for one very obvious reason - self importance.”

Wong thinks the Chinese Canadian community has “suffered the terrible indignity of having had far too many unqualified Chinese Canadians elected into office.”

“only to prove time and time again, that Chinese Canadians are inarticulate, have no real grasp of the issues, and unfortunately, surround themselves with sycophants and with unqualified advisors.”

But Wong is optimistic towards the future, while he vows to continue working hard on his behind-the-scene work. “There are a number of us who are getting together to help nurture and mentor a new generation of real Chinese Canadian leaders. Eventually, some of these will make it into public office... and will become the role models that the Chinese Canadian community so desperately desires.”

Let us all hope so. [END]

Is promoting gay-toursim an issue?

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:19:04 -0500

Not again.....

Local Chinese radio "phone-in" programs are famous to be the castle of conservatism, especially on Christian values such as homosexuality and abortion. Hosts will try whatever chance to make an non-issue an issue, making the Chinese radio one of the most important activists for ultra-right, and sometimes hateful attitudes against people they don't like.

Today, one phone-in program talks about gay tourism. Councillor Tim Stevenson threw the idea last week that Vancouver should support initiatives that promote lesbian tourism, which I believe is an non-issue and I believe so do the majority of the mainstream population. Here's the story from CKNW:

A Vancouver councilor wants to give tourism Vancouver a 25-thousand-dollar grant to launch a tourism campaign targeted at lesbians in the U.S.

Vision Vancouver’s Tim Stevenson says this would be one way to help out the tourism industry...

"This is the number one destination for American lesbians so we really need to promote what a beautiful city we have how safe it is how open it is and how welcoming it is."

Stevenson says in the US, lesbian tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry and Vancouver needs to tap into that market.

The host is posting a very directional question to the audience: Should we use city money - taxpayers money - to promote gay tourism? Should we really support gay people and even spend money to attract them to come to Vancouver? Should we make Vancouver a paradise for gays?

Of course, questions like these naturally attract anti-gay comments from the active right wing Chinese audience. One caller thinks making Vancouver a gay-friendly destination would downgrade the city's taste. He says gays can visit "other cities" such as San Francisco or Amsterdam, not Vancouver.

One said Vancouver should become a "clean, civilized" city, and should not promote gay or gambling. The host and a couple of callers say making Vancouver a gay-friendly destination would deter tourists who don't like gays from visiting Vancouver.

One caller says whoever makes that suggestion (promoting gay tourism) will never get the Chinese votes.

More:

does Vancouver have anything special to offer to gay tourists? If we do not have any special attractions that San Francisco doesn't have, why should we make so much effort to compete?
promoting tourism is good but homosexuality is controversial. Why don't we promote something that all citizens welcome, such as the dragon boat festival, or the aboriginal art and culture?"
one caller said he once accidentally entered a gay bar in downtown and was harassed by a guy within a few minutes. he said thing like this is completely tasteless and "why should we attract those people to our city?"
Ladner has the vision of not promoting gay tourism.
Only one caller thinks it's a good idea. "I support promoting Vancouver as a gay tourism destination; many great artists such as Elton John, George Michael or Leslie Cheung are talented gays who are loved by all of us; attracting gay tourists will not degrade the city's taste."

Sad.

Attitudes like these make me shameful to be a part of the Vancouver's Chinese media. The reason I write this article is to show English-speaking citizens how conservative the Chinese community can be (I bet this would mean inviting criticism from the Chinese community against myself :P)

Fortunately, the guest host was able to present a more tolerant view towards the end.

Photo - Cute dog

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:38:23 -0500

Raphael, a shihtzu owned by Patty Suplee of Houston, jumps a hurdle during an agility competition on the second day of the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows Friday, July 18, 2008, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Melissa Phillip)

Forecast: Vancouver home prices to rise 5.1% only in 2008

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:48:54 -0500

Royal LePage release - An increase in inventory and fewer sales during the second quarter removed the heat from Vancouver’s long-standing hot market, resulting in moderate average house prices increases when compared to this time last year.

However, as the current housing surplus becomes reabsorbed low single digit price appreciations are expected through to the end of the year, according to a House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast report released today by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.

The atypical higher number of available listings for this time of year is a result of a number of factors, including new construction rounding completion, some American investors repatriating their gains and speculators moving out of the Vancouver market with some moving on to very robust Saskatchewan markets. Despite the increase in listing volumes, buyer’s interest remains strong and it is anticipated that much of the inventory will be absorbed over the next few quarters.

By the year’s end, the average house price in Vancouver is expected to increase by% 5.1% to $600,000 from last year, while the number of unit sales is forecast to decrease to 31,182 units sold (-20%), year-over-year.

Earlier, the CMHC's 2008 forecast predicts home prices in the Vancouver area to jump 8-10% in 2008.

“Despite the second quarter’s moderating conditions, the city’s real estate market will tighten again as procrastinating buyers become owners,” said Chris Simmons, owner/Broker, Royal LePage Westside, City Centre, Sunshine Coast. “The choices available to buyers is the best in years.”

Simmons adds: “Vancouver remains a city that people – both in Canada and around the world – want to move to. In-migration and immigration levels will remain high well into the future, bolstering the housing market to remain Canada’s city with the most expensive real estate.”

The average price of a detached bungalow in North Vancouver increased by 2.9% to $710,000, year-over-year. The average value of a standard two-storey home rose by 6.9% to $770,000, while the price of a standard condominium increased by 4.7% to $335,000, year-over-year.
In West Vancouver, the average price of a detached bungalow rose by 18.6% to $1,050,000, year-over-year, and a standard two-storey home increased by 13.1% to $1,120,000. The average price of a standard condominium increased by 14.5% to $475,000.

In Vancouver East, the price of a standard two-storey homes increased by 9.3% to $648,000, year-over-year. The average price of a detached bungalow rose by 7.6% to $620,000, while the average price of a standard condominium increased by 6.6% to $338,000.

In Vancouver West, the average price of a standard condominium increased by 8% to $675,000, year-over-year. The average price of a detached bungalow appreciated by 5% to $1,050,000, while the average value of a standard two-storey home increased by 6.3% to $1,275,000, year-over-year.

Victoria’s housing market continued to experience increases in average house prices during the second quarter, compared to the same period last year. While average house prices continued to increase, the pace has definitely tempered from the frenetic pace observed in previous quarters.

An increase in inventory led to buyers taking more time to make purchasing decisions. This influx of listings that came on stream has boded well for first-time buyers. The increase in listings, combined with the low lending rates, could lead to younger buyers entering the real estate market in future months.

Despite the increase in inventory in the second quarter, multiple offer situations occurred occasionally in Victoria on well-priced properties.

“We are experiencing a more normal and healthier real estate market,” said Judy Gage, president, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty, Victoria. “We need to remember that that the last few years have been exceptionally active and the conditions are now more typical in terms of the “average” market. Today’s market, is far more balanced, and bodes well for both buyers and sellers.”

Standard two-storey houses increased by 13.5% to $470,000, year-over-year. The average price of a standard condominium in the city increased by 13.5% to $295,000, while detached bungalows increased by 17.8% to $450,000, year-over-year.

Added Gage: “Victoria’s real estate market has experienced healthy increases during the first half of the year – with the majority of appreciation occurring during the first few months of the year – and we can expect more modest increases for the rest of 2008.”

More readings:
Forecast 2008: Rapid transit will drive housing demand along route
Forecast 2008: Vancouver area home prices to rise 8-10%
Forecast: Vancouver house prices to rise 11.7% in 2007; 6.3% in 2008
Forecast: Vancouver condo prices to rise 7.2% in 2007, 3.8% per year till 2011
Vancouver real estate prices have peaked: report

BC - Asia trade stats

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:37:42 -0500

BC Stats release - With the rapid economic growth of countries such as China and India, Asia has become a focal point for exporters looking to expand their marketplace. For British Columbia, Asia has long been an important destination for the province's commodity exports, with the share of BC's total goods exports rising above 25% in the 1970s and remaining there since.

In 1989, the share of BC's exports shipped to Asia peaked at 37%, but the subsequent slowdown in the economy of Japan saw that ratio bottom out at 21% in 2001, before starting to rise again. In 2007, 27% of BC's total goods exports were shipped to Asian destinations. Within Canada, British Columbia is by far the province most dependent on Asia as a destination for exports. Overall, only 7% of Canadian exports were shipped to Asian destinations.

After BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba had the next highest share of goods shipped to Asia, at around 17% of total goods exports, a full ten percentage points lower than British Columbia. BC ships the greatest volume of goods to Asia Percent share of Canadian goods shipped to Asia, 2007 Source: Statistics Canada Other 4.6% Quebec 10.1% Ontario Manitoba 17.1% 6.4% Saskatchewan 11.4% Alberta 21.3% BC 29.0% British Columbia shipped more goods to Asia than any other province in 2007.

The province was the origin of 29% of Canadian commodity exports destined for Asia. Alberta ranked second, with 21% of the Canadian total. Within Asia, Japan continues to be the primary destination for goods from British Columbia. Although Japan's share has slipped over the last decade, it was still the destination of almost half (48%) of BC's exports to Asia in 2007. However, this was the first time in at least 60 years that shipments to Japan represented less than half of BC's exports to Asia. In fact, back in the late 1960s and 1970s, Japan's share often exceeded 85% and peaked at 91% in 1973.

Over the last decade, countries such as China and South Korea have become important markets for BC's goods. Mainland China now takes in 20% of BC's shipments to Asia and South Korea is the destination for another 15%.

In the last ten years, the value of BC's exports to Mainland China has almost quadrupled. British Columbia ranks second only to Alberta as a source of Canadian exports to China. In 2007, Alberta was the origin of almost a third (32%) of Canada's total shipments to Mainland China. British Columbia was the source of a fifth of all Canadian exports to China, followed by Ontario, at 16% and Quebec, at just over 10%. Over a third (37%) of Alberta's exports to China consisted of ethylene glycol, a component often used in antifreeze. Alberta is the sole province in the country that produces this chemical.

For BC, pulp represented over half (59%) of the province's shipments to China, with copper and other ores (10%) being the next largest commodity export.

The emergence of China as an economic superpower has created a resource boom, which has benefitted British Columbia, not only through the rise in exports of these goods to China itself, but also through the price increases the extra demand has produced, bringing more revenue from BC exports of those commodities to all markets.

On the flip side, rising commodity prices have contributed to the appreciation of the Canadian dollar, which has harmed exporters, and the influx of inexpensive finished goods from China has posed challenges for Canada's manufacturing sector. As noted in a Statistics Canada report, “Overall, the emergence of China on the world economic stage has led to a complex reallocation, resulting in an increase in resource and service sector employment in Canada, and a reduction in manufacturing employment, the only non-farm goods sector industry that experienced a loss.”

Given that BC's strengths are in the resource sector, China's growth is likely more of a blessing than a curse for this province. Considering that Canada's premiers are working toward a joint trade mission to China, the first ever such cooperative effort between the country's first ministers, it is clear that there is recognition that China is a huge market that cannot be ignored. It is less certain that the value of India as a trade partner is universally recognized.

Like China, India has become more industrialized and is developing into an economic power. However, unlike China, there appears to be far less of a push to develop trade ties with India. Some of this may be due to India's historical reluctance to pursue trade deals, as well as a lack of transportation infrastructure in that country.

Canada has shown interest in pursuing a free trade agreement and moved a step in this direction when Canada and India arrived at a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement in June. Nevertheless, Canada is well behind its competitors in courting India. The value of Canadian goods shipped to India in 2007 was approximately $1.7 billion, of which $234 million originated in British Columbia. This ranked India as the 13th largest export market for Canada as a whole and the tenth largest market for BC.

Given the expanse of the Indian market, there are plenty of opportunities to significantly expand upon these figures. However, there has been substantial growth in exports to India, particularly for Canada as a whole. In the last decade, Canadian exports to India have quadrupled. British Columbia's commodity shipments to India have also experienced strong growth, but they are still relatively small.

As with China, BC's top exports to India are mainly resource products. Copper and molybdenum ores and concentrates top the list, followed by pulp and paper. These goods comprised approximately 90% of BC's commodity exports to India in 2007. British Columbia (14%) ranked fourth in the country as a source of exports to India, behind Saskatchewan (34%), Ontario (16%) and Quebec (15%). Peas and potash were the prime exports from Saskatchewan.

While Canada may be behind in its efforts to woo India as a trade partner, talks with South Korea have been ongoing for a few years with respect to coming to agreement on a free trade deal between the two countries. While Canadian auto-makers are reticent of such a deal, complaining that South Korea uses non-tariff barriers to block imports of Canadian vehicles, British Columbia would stand to substantially benefit from a free trade agreement. South Korea is already BC's fourth largest export destination and almost half (45%) of Canadian exports to South Korea originate in BC. Ontario ranks a distant second, with 22% of Canada's exports to Korea shipped from that province.

Resource exports again dominate the types of goods shipped from BC to South Korea, with coal topping the list (37%), followed by pulp (18%), although aluminum and articles of aluminum (14%) were the third largest export in 2007.

The growing economic strength of these Asian nations is providing new marketplaces for exporters worldwide and British Columbia is uniquely placed to take full advantage. The province's location and the types of commodities available for export are a perfect fit for trade with Asia, which should bode well for BC's future economic prosperity.

Tories' double standard in protecting Canadians alleged being terrorists

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:01:38 -0500

Once again, the Conservative government is showing double standard in fighting for the rights of Canadians tried by a foreign government. Omar Khadr - a Canadian citizen born in Canada - was alleged by the US as involving in terrorist acts against the Americans. Huseyin Celil - an refugee seeker whom the Interpol has issued an international arrest warrant against before he became a Canadian - was alleged by China as involving in terrorist acts against the Chinese.

Look at the different reactions of our politicians on the two cases. First of all, on Khadr:

From the Globe and Mail: Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he will not seek to bring alleged Canadian terrorist Omar Khadr home from Guatanamo Bay prison despite the unsealing of documents that reveal Canadian officials knew that he was deprived of sleep and forced to change cells every three hours to “make him more amenable and willing to talk.”

Mr. Harper's government has long insisted that it sought and received assurances from the U.S. that Mr. Khadr was being treated humanely, but the documents dating from 2003 and 2004 – when Mr. Khadr was 17 years old – indicate Canadian officials knew of his conditions and mistreatment.

On Thursday, Mr. Harper said Mr. Khadr is accused of serious crimes, and there's no real alternative to the special military hearings he faces – and he has no intention of asking for him to be sent to Canada.

Regardless of the fact that:

Given that the Canadian Federal Court has found the practice to be in violation of international law, the revelation that Mr. Khadr was subjected to the program directly contradicts repeated assurances from Ottawa that the Canadian was treated humanely.

Harper further said:

He argued that the special U.S. military trial that Mr. Khadr faces – in which he does not have the same standard of legal representation and rights he would in an ordinary criminal trial – is the ONLY WAY he could be brought to answer the charges against him (my emphasis).

BUT look at what he said about Celil in 2006:

"I think the government of Canada, when a Canadian citizen is ill-treated and when the rights of a Canadian citizen need to be defended, I think it's always the obligation of the government of Canada to vocally and publicly stand up for that Canadian citizen.

"That is what we will continue to do."

What about Celil?

Celil is an active member of the violent Eastern Turkstan Islamic Movement, a designated terrorist organization according to the UN. (The organization was allegedly linked to Al Queda and the Taliban and is outlawed by the US.) Celil was also wanted by the Interpol before he became a Canadian citizen.

The Globe and Mail has reported (thanks to the link by Mutant Palm):

According to the court documents, Celil joined the East Turkistan Liberation Organization (ETLO), a listed terrorist group active in central Asia, in November 1997 and was appointed as a senior instructor in Kyrgyzstan.

While there, Celil allegedly recruited several people to the ETLO and sent them to terrorist training camps in the Pakistan-controled Kashmir, the documents said.

Celil was also active in another listed terrorist organization, the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), for which he helped raise funds, recruit members and organize training, the documents said.

The documents said that in 1997, Celil met ETIM’s former head Hasan Mahsum, who was shot dead by the Pakistan army in 2003, and worked directly under Mahsum’s command.

Celil was a key member pushing for the alliance of the ETIM and ETLO in 1998, the documents said.

The government said “East Turkistan” terrorists had close links with Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and were responsible for a series of murder, bombs, hijacking and arson in Xinjiang.

The documents said Huseyin Celil, with the intention of overthrowing the people’s republic and the socialist system, in 1997 provided 80,000 yuan (US$10,256) for the establishment of a new terrorist group, named “Hizbollah”, in the southern Guangdong Province.

The money was used for to purchase guns and provide terrorist training, the documents said.

Suddenly, alleged terrorist Omar Khadr is less a Canadian than another alleged terrorist Huseyin Celil.

Ironically, what China has been doing to Celil might be mimicking the US:

Wade Huntley, an UBC expert on East Asian affairs, said the dispute indicates that China and Canada haven't solved the problem of dual citizenship.

Huntley believed China is mimicking the US. "The Americans have locked up many people of many nationalities in Guantanamo Bay and they refuse them consular services."

Huntley said China is using the same principle as the US in dealing with this case, and barring Canada to involve.

Last week, a Chinese radio phone-in show in Vancouver talked about the Khadr issue. The ultra-right hosts stood unanimously - as always - with the Tories against the suggestion that Canada should seek returning of Khadr. "If this guy was a member of a terrorist group, had committed terrorist acts that directly or indirectly killed thousands in 9/11, then he should be kept in Guantanamo," one caller said.

This caller is absolutely right. If the government he supports believes that Khadr has committed terrorist acts against the Americans and had to be tried there, then why couldn't this government acknowledge that Celil had committed terrorist acts in China and had to be tried there? Don't give me b.s. about the-US-is-a law-abiding-country-and-China-isn't kind of crap. Both the US and Canadian supreme courts have decided that serious human rights abuses have been carrying out in Guantanamo. The Canadian government doesn't have evidence to prove otherwise.

The Toronto Star had an editorial in 2006 when it discussed the Celil case, which had accurately predicted the hypocritical behaviour of the Harper government:

Still, it would be interesting to know what Harper would have done had Uzbekistan extradited alleged terrorist Celil not to China but to the U.S. prison camp at Guantánamo Bay. Which of his principles would have held then?

I'm sure the Tories will be under the heat again when the DVDs of Khadr's CSIS interview is made public this week, can't wait to see the public reaction.

Eunuchs

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:59:28 -0500

I've promised to write more about my China trip of April. And I know, I've been so lazy writing here lately. To compensate, I'll have an interesting one today. :)

I visited the tomb of an emperor of the Han Dynasty. The Han emperors had stopped using live-sized terra cotta warriors to guard their tombs. However, as the kings still needed a lot of people to serve him, miniature warriors, servants, sheep, horses etc were carved and buried in the tombs. Among such servants, there were eunuchs.

Like most people, I have never seen a eunuch. Well, I had my chance in April; and now, you too. :) (The terra cottas' bodies were revealed because their original clothing had been eroded after thousands of years.)

A eunuch.

A "regular" male.

Eunuchs and female servants.

Emerson will go to Beijing Olympics opening ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:51:43 -0500

DFAIT release - The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be in Beijing from August 7 to 11 to lead the Canadian government delegation attending the 2008 Olympic Games and opening ceremonies. Minister Emerson will be accompanied by the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport).

“I am very much looking forward to attending the Games and supporting our Canadian athletes,” said Minister Emerson. “It will be a tremendous experience to see them compete with the best in the world.”

While in Beijing, Minister Emerson will tour the Olympic Village and the Canada Olympic House and meet with Canadian athletes and their families.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada, and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. In 2008-09, the federal investment in the Canadian sport system will reach an all-time high of $166 million annually. This includes the announcement in Budget 2008 of $24 million over the next two years and $24 million per year ongoing to support the Road to Excellence program. This funding will enhance the government’s excellence programming for summer athletes, increasing the number of coaches, training camps and opportunities for our athletes to compete internationally.

CBC to air "A New Face for Beijing" series

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:43:42 -0500

CBC release - Radio Canada International’s Web service RCIviva.ca will air the premiere webisode of its new series A NEW FACE FOR BEIJING, starring a young Chinese-born Torontonian who decides to start over in Beijing.

Internet users can watch this gripping six-part series online all summer long at RCIviva.ca—a new eight-minute webisode will air every two weeks.

The series follows the adventures and aspirations of 25-year-old JENNIFER HSIUNG, who moved to Beijing a year and half ago. She quickly gets snapped up by China’s international public broadcaster CCTV as a sports reporter, and finds herself at the centre of the Olympic frenzy, rubbing shoulders with Beijing’s A list crowd. Right when all eyes are on China, Jennifer prepares to give it all she’s got too …

TIME FOR A CHANGE (online June 17)

In this series debut, Jennifer tells us about her arrival in Beijing, a city that’s undergoing a profound transformation. Jennifer’s also coping with her share of changes . . .

THE BANANAS (as of July 2)

For many people, China has turned into the Wild Wild East, an Asian version of the great conquest immortalized in westerns. A number of foreigners of Chinese descent (yellow on the outside, white on the inside) return to their roots.

INTERNAL MIGRATION (as of July 15)

Thousands of Chinese have poured in from the countryside looking for work. What kind of life are they living? Are they riding high on China’s Olympic boom?

OPENING NIGHT (as of July 29)

The opening ceremony promises to be a memorable night. In the midst of preparations, trials and rehearsals, a volunteer tells us about the Chinese predilection for patriotic fanfare.

DEMIGODS (as of August 12)

A record number of Chinese athletes will be competing in the Games, and they all have one imperative in mind—win gold. That puts more than a little pressure on them . . . We meet a future Chinese Olympian.

BACK TO REALITY (early September)

When the party’s over, it’s back to reality. How will Jennifer’s life unfold when the cameras aren’t on her anymore? How will she and Beijing fare after the Olympics?

Radio Canada International and its Web service RCIviva.ca are pleased to share in the Olympic excitement by bringing audiences a highly original look at the Chinese capital. Starting June 17, explore the city with JENNIFER HSIUNG via the six-part Web series A NEW FACE FOR BEIJING at RCIviva.ca.

Hong Kong reporter denied entry to Beijing, travel docs confiscated

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:46:18 -0500

(caption: Headline of today's Apple Daily reads "Beijing betrays Olympic promise")

Everyone in the Hong Kong media business knows that Apple Daily reporters are ALWAYS denied official reporter status because of the anti-communist stance of the paper's boss, Jimmy Lai (or better known as "Fatty Lai" by people in the industry). However, harsh treatment against Apple reporters like the following is unheard of.

This incident will pose not only a challenge to Beijing to wage another round of PR war, it will also endanger the reputation of the Hong Kong government under Chief Executive Donald Tsang, who has been famous for not upsetting Beijing on any issues. The HK government has already been under substantial strain recently because of the fiasco of hiring political aides with foreign passports. Tsang's approval rates have plummeted to record lows and he has been busy mending his public image.

Reuters - A reporter for Hong Kong's populist Apple Daily newspaper, known for its critical editorial line on China, was denied entry into Beijing this week, the paper's chief editor said on Thursday.

With just over a month to go before the start of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, the Hong Kong based newspaper, known for its pro-democracy stance and critical Chinese reportage, said one of its senior reporters had been turned away at Beijing on July 1 and had his travel document confiscated.

"We had a reporter attempt to go to Beijing to report and he had his home return permit confiscated and he was forced onto the next plane back," Apple Daily's chief editor Cheng Ming-yan told Reuters, referring to the travel document that allows Hong Kong residents to enter mainland China.

Cheng said no reasons were given for barring the reporter -- Norman Choy -- except a citing of national security laws by Chinese authorities.

Beijing, as part of its pre-Olympic pledges, has undertaken to allow journalists, particularly those from overseas, full access to report in the country.

In reality however, incidents such as the Tibet riots in March and the running of the Olympic torch relay in Xinjiang have seen the movement of foreign reporters severely curtailed.

"We feel this incident is very serious ... they have violated their Olympic promise to allow full press freedoms," Cheng added.

Chinese officials were not immediately available for comment.

Apple Daily's reporters are unique among Hong Kong's media outlets for not usually being granted official journalistic accreditation to enter mainland China, but are nevertheless often allowed to travel there on an unofficial basis.

"We've been hearing rumors that Beijing has been tightening restrictions on certain media and suspicious individuals ... I was prepared to be followed or to have my credentials checked, but to have my travel document confiscated surprised me," said Choy, Apple Daily's principal reporter, who said he had been allowed into Beijing for previous trips in May and last August.

Apple Daily reports that Jacques Rogge, chairman of the International Olympic Committee (who might be long regret the decision to land Beijing the hosting rights), was shocked when he was told by reporters calling him for comments. The paper asks the Hong Kong government to raise the issue with Xi Jinping, China's vice chairman and designated heir to Hu Jintao, next week when Xi visits Hong Kong.

No one from the HK government returns media calls.

Norman Choy has received official grant from the IOC to report on the Summer Games 2008, has paid for accommodation in the Olympic Village. The editorial of Apple Daily today says this is an international incident which completely shows the world that Beijing is unwilling to agree with the world's standard of press freedom.

June house sales drop 42%

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:31:22 -0500

REBGV release –Increased property listings and moderating home prices have eased the Greater Vancouver housing market into a buyer's phase. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver declined 42.9% in June 2008 to 2,425 from the 4,244 sales recorded in June 2007.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased 18.3% to 6,546 in June 2008 compared to June 2007, when 5,533 new units were listed.

"Although housing prices, on a year-over-year comparison, continue to show single-digit percentage increases, we are beginning to see more price reductions in properties listed on the market today," said REBGV president, Dave Watt.

"Homes priced at a competitive level continue to sell quickly, but it is important for people to accurately identify their home's value when putting it on the market."

Sales of detached properties in June 2008 declined 43.4% to 918 from the 1,623 units sold during the same period in 2007. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties rose 7% from June 2007 to $765,654.

Sales of apartment properties declined 42.7% last month to 1,057, compared to 1,846 sales in June 2007. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 7.8% from June 2007 to $388,722.

Attached property sales in June 2008 decreased 41.9% to 450, compared with the 775 sales in June 2007. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 7.6% between June 2007 and 2008 to $476,585.

Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in June 2008 compared to June 2007:

Apartments:
New Westminster up 46.2% (19 units sold from 13)

Use GPS to locate toilets in Beijing

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:03:13 -0500

Oh boy, this is a very good idea. Better to include reviews of these toilets... hee hee

People's Daily - Beijing will create an electronic guidance system for public lavatories. Before the Olympic Games, guides will be set up at 210 major downtown streets and street corners. By then, those seeking out public lavatories can do so with the help of a GPS locator. This is information was released at a press conference held by the Beijing Municipal Administration Commission.

Before the Olympic Games, Beijing will provide the location of public lavatories through a website, tourist and transportation maps, and posted guides on the road. Beijing has issued the style and setting requirements for posted public lavatory guides and the locations of posted guides on a main street. Guides will be posted every 50 meters to 150 meters apart from each other.

Kwan, Farnworth pay Yang Baoying's visa fees

noreply@blogger.com (SN) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:45:11 -0500

CIV - Two NDP MLAs are paying for the visa application for Yang Baoying, mother of Chinese student Amanda Zhao murdered in BC 6 years ago, in a very low key way, Ming Pao reports.

Yang has written a few times to the Canadian minister of justice, asking for action on bringing the suspected killer of Amanda to justice. She has been hoping to come to Canada in person and meet with the justice minister (Amanda Zhao's series on CIV).

Yang has not received any official response from the feds. However, BC MLAs Jenny Kwan and Mike Farnworth are sponsoring visa applications for Yang and her husband and niece - not only sending invitations to them (Chinese subjects must have overseas invitations to make visa and passport applications in China), but also paying for application fees amounting to 5000 yuan (about C$900), Kwan confirms yesterday.

Kwan says she deosn't think what she and Farnworth are doing is special enough to worth making it public proactively. She stresses that Yang and her family are not only suffering from mental torture of not seeing justice done for Amanda, they are impoverished, living from one place to another.

Yang was speechless when she learnt what Kwan and Farnworth were doing. She confirms she has received the signed letter of ivitatin from Kwan and Farnworth and her visa application process has been started.