... In February, Beijing will become the first city to host a Winter Olympics after previously hosting a Summer Games. Much has changed in the 14 years since the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Then half of Canadians held a favourable view of China, a number that has plummeted to 16 per cent in polling late last year by ARI.

... As Canadians impression of China has declined, the number of Canadians who would prioritize moral issues and concerns in the two country’s relationship has increased. This notably against the backdrop of increased scrutiny of Chinese treatment of the Uyghur population in the western Xinjiang province – treatment which was officially labelled a genocide by the Canadian parliament last year. Three quarters (77%) say Canada should prioritize human rights and the rule of law in its dealing with China:

:zenz:

... China is the second largest economy in the world by GDP, according to the World Bank. Canada exported $25 billion worth of goods to China in 2020 and imported $77 billion, which taken together makes the country Canada’s second largest trading partner. Those totals represent five per cent of Canada’s total exports and 14 per cent of total imports last year.

A majority of Canadians would prefer to see Canada take its business elsewhere. Three-in-five (61%) say they would prefer if Canada would reduce its trade with China, contrasted by the one-quarter (24%) who say the country is as good a trade partner as any.

Across party lines, a majority of all partisans would prefer Canada to trade less with China as well. That desire is strongest among those who voted for the CPC in the last federal election. This despite CPC voters also being the most likely to prioritize trade over human rights as noted above.

:wojak-nooo: :frothingfash:

... Though many Canadians would prioritize human rights and the rule of law in the country’s interactions with China, there is also concern over the economic consequences of taking a stand. Three-in-five (58%) say they worry of the economic ramifications of getting in China’s way.

... There appears to be another concern for Canadians: would anything Canada does actually make China change course? Seven-in-ten (73%) say it’s unrealistic that actions taken by Canada could affect China’s behaviour.

... Those who want less trade with China were asked if that was realistic – could Canada trade with China less without an economic penalty? Most say Canada’s economy would survive with less reliance on trading with China while one-in-ten (12%) say it’s impossible to do so without a significant economic cost.

... Four-in-five Canadians who worry about the economic costs of angering China, but still want to trade with the country less, believe its possible to do so without hurting Canada’s finances too much.

:kitty-cri-texas:

💧 💧 💧

:xi-lib-tears: