OTTAWA – China has for years tried to block Canadian diplomats from Tibet, banning some of them from visiting aid projects once funded by Canadian taxpayers, says Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion.
Dion said that while China has never denied a request by a high-level diplomat to visit Tibet, it has put up roadblocks, including delays in approving travel requests and shadowing Canadians while there.
READ MORE: China marking half-a-century of communist control over Tibet
Get breaking National news
Dion describes the problems in a written response to questions from New Democrat MP Randall Garrison that was recently tabled in the House of Commons.
The minister’s frank assessment comes as the Liberal government moves to expand trade with China, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first visit to China and a return visit by its premier late this summer.
- Applicants for child care operator licences in Saskatchewan say they’re being denied
- More than $500M likely required annually for Calgary to meet affordable housing targets
- First-ever Saskatchewan commodity showcase connects producers with global buyers
- Montreal-area family hopes daughter’s cancer journey inspires blood donors
-
![]()
Cyclospora outbreak source not confirmed, health officials investigating link to lettuce, greens -
![]()
CN rail train drives through inferno as wildfires ravage northwestern Ontario -
![]()
WestJet flight attendants vote in favour of strike -
![]()
Immigration lawyer reacts as some “Lost Canadians” told to return citizenship certificate
READ MORE: Bloc Quebecois MP says the Dalai Lama cited Canada’s referendums as model for Tibet
The Montreal-based, Canada Tibet Committee suggested the travel restrictions are part of China’s ongoing efforts to mask human rights abuses in the region it has controlled since the 1950s, when its invading forces drove out Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not respond to a request for comment.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.