CANADALAND China Just Let Canadian Reporters Come Back
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Oct 24, 2025 Journalist Jan Wong, known for her keen insights on Canada’s international relations, dives into the complexities of Canada’s trade with China and India. She discusses the necessity of mending ties despite challenging histories and human rights concerns. Wong critiques media narratives, highlighting the Globe and Mail’s superficial approach to reporting in China. The conversation also touches on balancing trade, security, and democratic integrity, while exploring the CBC's strategies to win back critics and focus on local news over entertainment.
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Canada's Diplomatic Tightrope
- Canada attempted to punish China and India for human-rights and security concerns, but geopolitical timing left it isolated when trade alternatives became urgent.
- Restoring trade will require pragmatic engagement while still addressing interference and rights issues.
Separate Trade From Criticism
- Keep criticizing human-rights abuses while pragmatically accepting economic measures like lifting tariffs when necessary.
- Jan Wong urges taking trade steps (e.g., accept tariffs) without abandoning scrutiny of China's behaviour.
The Return Of Superficial Reporting
- Western newsrooms lost access to on-the-ground reporting in China for years, producing surface-level coverage on return.
- Jan Wong criticizes Globe reporting as clichéd and lacking Chinese-language expertise.
