By GLORIA GALLOWAY
OTTAWA, October 23 — Federal politicians of all stripes dismiss the possibility that China will retaliate economically for Canada’s public welcome of the exiled Dalai Lama when he arrives here next week to celebrate his honorary Canadian citizenship.
Conservative Senator Consiglio Di Nino and other parliamentarians who helped arrange the visit held a press conference yesterday to support the Buddhist leader’s movement for Tibet’s autonomy from China.
As recently as last month, Chinese officials in Ottawa said they opposed foreign countries providing venues for the promotion of the Dalai Lama’s “secessionist activities.” And China threatened previously that trade with Canada would suffer if the Harper government insists on criticizing Beijing for its human-rights record.
But Mr. Di Nino said the warnings from China are just bluster.
“The Chinese are going to huff and puff as they usually do. And that’s fine. We understand that. It’s not going to impact on business. China does business with Canada because it benefits China. Canada does business with China because it benefits Canada,” he told reporters.
“What we’re asking for is to continue the relationships. We don’t want people to stop doing business with China. But to make sure that you let the Chinese friends and colleagues know that some of the issues about China have been raised as issues of concern in our country.”
When asked yesterday if there could be economic consequences as a result of the visit, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Ottawa would not give a direct reply.
“The question of the Tibet issue touches on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We attach great importance to this issue,” she said.
“The Canadian government also recognizes that Tibet is part of China and does not recognize the so-called Tibetan government in exile. We just hope that the Canadian government will honour its words on this issue.”
Ottawa, meanwhile, is preparing a grand welcome for the Dalai Lama.
Although the arrangements have not been finalized, Mr. Di Nino said the Dalai Lama will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, opposition leaders and cabinet ministers. He will also make public addresses in Ottawa and Toronto.
There has been a hesitancy on the part of previous prime ministers to appear with the Dalai Lama in public because doing so could inflame the Chinese.
But Mr. Di Nino said: “Not with this Prime Minister.”
Bloc Québécois MP Diane Bourgeois also asserted that the Chinese will impose no economic sanctions as a result of the meeting.
“Yes, commerce will continue because we are a market, because China is a market,” she told the press conference.
