Former Canadian PM shares family mission to promote Canada-China friendship

Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien recently reflected on his role in shaping Canada-China relations, and shared his family's multi-generational commitment to fostering strong bilateral ties.

Chretien spoke to China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing ahead of an official visit to China by incumbent Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that is scheduled for Jan 14 to 17.

The Canadian politician identified his first visit to China in 1994 as the most impactful decision of his premiership concerning Canada-China relations.

"When I came in 1994, you know, I came with a big delegation. You would remember we call it Team Canada. I came with 500 people -- all the premiers of the provinces and business people, university people -- and I came back with Team Canada again when I was prime minister. I quit politics 22 years ago. And I'm coming here almost every year. I'm here today, and I'm happy to be here," he said.

Chretien underscored the importance of dialogue and engagement, a philosophy he has maintained long after leaving office. He also shared his sustained, multi-generational dedication to good Canada-China relationship.

"I was in the cabinet with the government when we recognized China. We did that before United States and many others. We were the one of the first to do that at that time and it was a very important departure. For me, I had a personal reason is that,Canada China Business Council, the president was my son-in-law. And today, the president of Canada China Business Council is my grandson. So I come, it's a family business for us to work for good relations between China and Canada. I believe in dialogue, and I was telling somebody that I've come more often to Beijing in the last 22 years than I've gone to Washington, United States. Because, for me, it is the way that I see things and of course I am involved with my grandson and my son in Canada China Business Council. So I'm very keen to make sure that everything has worked well," he said.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 17 pips to 7.012 against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.