Canadian tour continues with visits to Toronto, Niagara Falls
By Tara Brautigam
TORONTO – Chinese President Hu Jintao has arrived in Toronto amid tight security and scores of protesters.
Jintao was greeted by federal Immigration Minister Joe Volpe at Pearson International Airport before meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Jintao then headed to a downtown Toronto hotel for a luncheon with McGuinty, Volpe and other federal and provincial government officials where he lauded Canadian-Chinese relations.
“Over the years, Ontario has played a crucial role in promoting Canada-China’s friendship,” Jintao told about 100 delegates.
Outside, dozens of Chinese and Canadian intelligence officials and Toronto police kept watch as hundreds of members of Falun Gong and other demonstrators protested China’s treatment of dissidents and Tibet.
Waving anti-Chinese government banners, they called on Jintao to stop alleged human rights abuses and asked that federal government officials step up the pressure on that front.
“We want to appeal to our Canadian government officials to protect the dignity of Canada and the integrity of Canada,” said Joel Chipkar, spokesman for the Canadian Falun Dafa Association of Canada.
“Right now China is not taking this seriously.”
On Friday, when he met with Prime Minister Paul Martin, Jintao downplayed talk of human rights abuses, telling Martin his country has improved its record on that front.
Jintao’s arrival in Toronto was part of a trip across Canada with other stops in Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Ont., and Vancouver.
It is Jintao’s first visit to North America since taking supreme power in the Communist state two years ago.
