jje1000
Senior Member
Hmm, the Brookings Institute (which Barton is part of) usually pushes for engagement with China- which indicates that Trudeau and co. are still pushing for further economic appeasement- concerning, but not surprising.
Dominic Barton named Canada's next ambassador to China
Katie Simpson, Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2019
Also, did Freeland essentially vet Barton through the Chinese Foreign Minster to see if he would be acceptable?
Dominic Barton named Canada's next ambassador to China
Katie Simpson, Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2019
The Trudeau government has picked a trusted economic adviser as its new ambassador to China.
Dominic Barton will be heading to Beijing to take on the role after the Chinese government formally accepted his appointment.
Barton serves as the chair of the finance minister's advisory council on economic growth and has helped the Trudeau government shape its economic policies and strategies.
The federal government kept the selection process highly confidential due to the risk that Beijing, in the midst of a diplomatic standoff with Canada, might reject Ottawa's choice.
And while this appointment is taking place shortly before a federal election, two sources say Freeland did not consult opposition parties about it.
During a news conference in Toronto, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland was asked about past controversies involving the company for which Barton worked.
The New York Times reported in December that McKinsey held its corporate retreat in Kashgar, China in 2018 — about four miles from where thousands of Chinese Muslims are locked up in an internment camp. The United Nations has denounced the mass detentions.
McKinsey also has advised many Chinese state-owned clients, including one that helped build China's artificial islands in the South China Sea, which is a major point of military tension with the U.S.
Freeland said the appointment was carefully vetted to ensure there is no conflict of interest. Barton must step down from corporate boards, however, and ensure any decisions about assets he holds are not in conflict with his public service commitments to Canada.
Freeland said Barton's close personal connections to Trudeau and herself means he will have "close and direct contacts" that will help him do the job.
Roland Paris, a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa, said he sees the appointment as a positive signal that a frosty diplomatic relationship may be thawing. Barton's background and understanding of China will help him navigate the complexities of China's governmental system, he said.
"He'll need that, because we're in a very serious standoff with China now over the detention of the two Canadians. I think he needs to focus first and foremost on the well-being of those two Canadians, and I'm sure he'll do that," he said.
Guy Saint-Jacques, who served as Canada's ambassador to China from 2012-2016, called Barton an "interesting choice."
"Trudeau wanted him to replace me in 2016 but he declined," he said.
"While he doesn't speak Mandarin, he had good contacts with Chinese leaders in his previous job. This being said, I don't think he will have better access than a career diplomat in present circumstances."
Also, did Freeland essentially vet Barton through the Chinese Foreign Minster to see if he would be acceptable?
Sources say Freeland revealed that Barton was Canada's choice for the post during her one-on-one meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Bangkok last month.
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