ROTHENBURGER: How Kamloops can help stop China from bullying Canada

KAMLOOPS — I’VE ALWAYS BELIEVED that the most effective form of diplomacy takes place between regular folks far from the halls of power.

It’s time to put some of that diplomacy to work.

A Canadian has been sentenced to death in China. Two other Canadians are under detention for reasons that aren’t clear. The Chinese ambassador accuses Canada of “white supremacy.”

Canadians are under a travel advisory warning of the risks of travel to China.

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All this since Canada detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the U.S., which wants her extradited.

We don’t know if Robert Schellenberg is guilty or innocent of drug smuggling, but there’s no question the death sentence and the detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are in retribution for the Huawei situation.

What to do about it? For the past 20 years, China has aggressively sought out business and diplomatic friendships with Canadians, including in Kamloops. City councillors have travelled to China and Chinese counterparts have visited here.

Kamloops businesses have sought markets in China and Chinese businesses have looked for investments in Kamloops. The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and Venture Kamloops have established contacts with Chinese business organizations.

Thompson Rivers University has partnership agreements with universities in China, delivering degree programs there; Chinese exchange students study here. Chinese students complete preparatory studies at School District 73.

It’s time for TRU, the school district, City council, the Kamloops Chinese Cultural Association, every Kamloops business, and every business and cultural organization with ties in China to tell their Chinese friends their government must stop bullying Canada. Multiply that by every community across our country and the message would be clear.

It would beat words of strong disappointment from our politicians in Ottawa.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.