[far-east] china blocks canadian tourism

Interesting report in the Toronto Globe and Mail and sorry – I’ve lost the link but it’s on the web.

Chinese tourism is potentially a multibillion-dollar industry for Canada, since Chinese tourists are among the biggest spenders of any tourists in the world.

Yet in a typical week, only 10 to 15 people visit the office in Beijing. After seven years of failed negotiations, Canada still doesn't have the right to advertise itself as a tourist destination in one of the world's most lucrative tourism markets.

Canadian diplomats have struggled to bring China back to the negotiating table. They have sent faxes and hand-delivered messages. But eight months have passed without a single meeting.

"The Chinese are simply not negotiating with us," said Ken Lewis, the senior diplomat in charge of commercial matters at the Canadian embassy in Beijing. "We send them faxes and notes, asking when we can have another session, but we get no response. That means the negotiations are effectively suspended."

The report goes into some local blame attaching and then says:

Since then, the relationship has continued to deteriorate. Beijing was furious that Canada gave honorary citizenship to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, despite China's belief that he is a dangerous separatist. Beijing is also angry that Canada refuses to surrender China's most wanted international fugitive, Lai Changxing, who is charged with smuggling and has remained in Vancouver while pursuing his refugee claim in the courts.

Ah – there we have it at last.