Harper in China: Stephen Harper visit to Beijing will be competing with crisis in Syria, Iran

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a difficult diplomatic dance to do as he arrives in China late Tuesday on a crucial trade and political outreach mission.

The shadow of international concerns over President Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria and his unpredictable Iranian ally loom large as Harper arrives for four days of meetings with current and future Chinese leaders.

The closure of the American embassy in Damascus and China’s move with Russia to quash a UN Security Council resolution on Assad’s bloody crackdown in Syria were a blunt reminder that China is a much bigger player on the world stage, and raised questions about whether Canada can make its voice heard.

As Harper headed to Beijing, the Chinese leadership issued a stern defence of its decision at the United Nations, saying its veto was ultimately aimed at avoiding more civilian casualties and creating political stability in the region.

China says actions of the Security Council should promote political dialogue, and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East “rather than complicate the issue.

Frustrated with Washington on trade and energy, Harper has declared it is “a national priority” to diversify energy oil and gas exports to Asian markets, particularly China, which has already invested heavily to the tune of $15 billion in Canada’s oilsands.

There are deals to be made to boost Canadian lumber, aviation and educational exports to China as well.

Harper left it to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird to convey Canada’s “deep disappointment” Sunday as Syria’s brutal actions to crush dissent in the city of Homs. He did not speak about Syria before his departure.

Harper is unlikely to immediately voice any of his international concerns publicly in advance of his face-to-face meetings with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Vice-Premier Li Kejiang Wednesday and Thursday.

His spokesman, Andrew MacDougall said only the Prime Minister will convey “how concerned we are about Syria” and his conviction that the international community must cooperate on sanctions to pressure Assad.

However, Harper may well find the same resistance to international scolding that German Chancellor Angela Merkel met when she met last Friday with Premier Wen in Beijing.

After the meeting, Wen said China believes sanctions won’t solve the Iranian nuclear issue “in a fundamental way.” He said China is concerned about promoting peace and stability in the entire region.

Original Article
Source: Star 
Author: Tonda MacCharles