Thoughts on trade between Canada and China

In continuation with my apparent fascination with authoritarian governments, I decided it's time to explore our growing trade relationship with China. The theme of this relationship comes down to: we don't like you, but we need you. This comes as no surprise for after the global financial crisis, we are running out of the countries to trade with! Europe seems to be going down the drain, while USA is still struggling. Therefore, we find ourselves looking at CHINA!

Trading with China is tricky because it's politically sticky; and yet, it is financially smart. Therefore, true to our Canadian values, Harper snubbed Chinese government for the beginning of his term as Prime Minister. As most of us still do, Harper had a huge issue with creating a close trade relationship with a country that had a long record of human right violations. He agitated China by awarding honorary Canadian citizenship to the Dalai Lama, criticizing China's human rights record, accusing China of commercial espionage, delaying a meeting between foreign ministers, and making overtures toward Taiwan. He also did not attend the opening ceremonies of Beijing Olympics.  However, in recent years, the relations have improved.  Again, this is largely due to the fact that Harper's other two major partners, Europe and US, are having major economic issues, while China’s economy is still robust.  Thus Harper made a visit to China in 2009 to meet with the President to discuss their trade opportunities. In 2010, the President Hu Jintao made an official visit to Canada. In 2012, Harper went back to China to sign Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.  The main purpose of the agreement is “ensure greater protection to foreign investors against discriminatory and wholly arbitrary practices, to provide adequate and prompt compensation in the event of an expropriation and to enhance predictability of the policy framework affecting foreign investors and their investments.” It is clear that the trade between these two countries will greatly increase in the coming years.

However, Final Environmental Assessment of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) states “FIPA does not impose new market access obligations or liberalize existing investment restrictions. Companies and individual investors determine risks through independent economic and political assessments, and determine their willingness to accept those risks and invest in a given market. It cannot directly facilitate new investments or directly create new opportunities for investment.” Thus there are likely to be a lot of new policies that facilitate new investments and liberalize existing investments restrictions. But, is this growing relationship for the best or for the worst?

There is a great need for increased clarity, efficiency and predictability in the context of direct investments for these countries.  There is a fear that the Chinese might “spy” via their enterprises on the Canadian government or on Canadians. There is also a fear that they might not to conform to Canada’s environment standards. Thus it is necessary to create policies that will Chinese companies to full disclose their activities to the government. Regulatory agencies should be created to review on bi-annual basis that these Chinese companies are complying with all the Canadian regulations.  There should be a policy that lays out the standards each company has to meet before the directly invest into Canada. 

Trade aside, Chinese human rights record is still an issue. I think Canada should take a stand towards China’s human rights record, otherwise Canada’s record of being a peaceful and liberal country will be tarnished. However, it is easier to influence friends than enemies. Thus Canada should explore incremental ways that China can improve its human rights record. It should probably promote discuss of change in the areas where change is easiest to make and will not cost money to China (because let's be serious, its all about money).  Canada should strongly suggest these changes to China, but without making any ultimatums. Just the act of trying to improve their human rights record will help Canada save face when dealing with someone who has such terrible record. In the end, the more China becomes dependent on its trade with Canada, the more Canada will have to bargain with in  improving Chinese human rights record. 

Check out the video below : Why China Cannot Rise Peacefully - John Mearsheimer

Thoughts on Greece

If you decided to travel to Europe right now, I am sure that all you would hear about is the situation in Greece. The situation is dire, but Greek government itself is largely to blame. When Greece entered the Eurozone, it spent lavishly so much that the salaries in public sector have raised by 50% from 1999 to 2007. This spending coupled with the fact with massive tax evasion made the government's treasure run dry before even the crisis hit in 2008. This is the reason why Greece has been affected the worst by the crisis out of all the Europe.( Eurozone crisis explained ) .

To remedy the situation, Greece was given 240bn euros of loans and the debt write-off, but most fear it won't be enough. Now the troika (the European commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund) demands certain austerity measures to be implemented in order to secure bail out and remain in Eurozone. The latest of the austerity measures is 6 day work week. The earlier bailout demands have worsened the Greek economy, thus Greece is will not be eager to implement the coming austerity measures.

One of the two options going forward is likely. Either the week countries like Greece, Italy and Spain leave EU or are kicked out, which can potentially unravel all of the EU. Otherwise, there is a possibility of closer European fiscal union developing, which means fiscal policy will be coordinated at the continent level as well as monetary policy, bringing the E.U. closer to being a sovereign state.

The second option is much more appealing, however tricky. The nations are not quite ready to give up their independence to that level, but it would make EU more competitive with the growing markets of China, India, Brazil and etc. Perhaps the time has come for the EU to either work closer as a team.  One thing is certain, if EU does develop closer fiscal union it will likely be a force not to be reckoned .

Syria - Their point of view

Today, the UN General Assembly met to discuss the draft resolution that is meant to prevent armed conflict in Syria . Watch the video here :   http://bcove.me/wm846nfs

At around 26 mins mark ( up to 42mins) , the Syrian representative Bashar Ja'afari spoke before the vote on the resolution in order to defend the current government. I found his points very persuasive and valid, so I decided to make note of them on my blog in order to shine some light on the Syrian situation as it is viewed in the eyes of those that the West opposes. Here is the point form paraphrased summary.

• Ironic Paradox: The states sponsoring this resolution are submitting it under item 34, the prevention of armed conflict. These same states play a major role in sponsoring the rebels with arms, as was acknowledged by foreign minister of France.  Arms come from Qatar and Saudi Arabia and other states through Turkey. American arms also are coming in through Turkey.
• These states provide financial support to the media and intelligence campaign against the current government.
• The focus of these states is to support the the rebels and unilateral sanctions rather than providing humanitarian assistance, which in itself is a breach of six point plan.
• No humanitarian aid has been seen on the ground
• This Saudi draft resolution, which is on one side is sponsored by Saudi and Qattar and Bahrain, which are one of the world's worst human rights offenders and on the other side is sponsored by the states that continually disregard UN resolutions themselves and mold the resolutions to their advantage in order to military intervene in the affairs of other sovereign nations under pretense of WMD removal or the giving of humanitarian aid.
• The actions of these states in Iraq, Libya and some African countries have contributed to the weakening of  Rule of Law at international level.
• Assad government have caught rebels that are associated with Al-Qaeda, which means that the countries that are supporting the rebels cause are indirectly supporting Al-Qaeda at the time that they continue their rhetoric against terrorist around the world.

Of course, this speech is biased. However, it definitely brings out some interesting points to think about .  One point we should agree on with Syrian government is the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, while largely staying away from involvement in the armed conflict. At this time, we are left to wonder as to why we are supporting the rebel forces if they can't even make a united front on the matter. If Assad is beaten, the country is most likely to to be divided in fractions that fight against each other. This is a worse fate than  than having one "dictator". Assad was in power for years before the backlash from his people, which should be noted started with peaceful protests. Mass atrocities are not usually defied with peaceful protests,  thus there is a possibility that there weren't such major mass atrocities or the people would uproar in a much different manner. In any case, the living situation for average Syrian was better under Assad's government, than the current living situation where the whole economy of Syria came to a screeching halt.  Plus the rebels have done many questionable actions since the upraising and still do not have a united front against Assad, so what makes them a more viable form of government exactly? Perhaps without Assad, the civil war will just turn into sectarian battles for power and territories. Before we try to throw out Assad, we need to make sure there is a better option for Syrian people and at this time, the divided rebel groups cannot prove that they are it.

must see video : CBC's The Turning Point :Syria

Thoughts on Iran's Nuclear Program

This is an issue that has been around since Bush administration. Obama administration has intensified the economic sanctions in effort to stop the enrichment of uranium but to no avail. In fact, Iran has "announced legislation intended to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf shipping lane, and "it's" testing missiles in a desert drill clearly intended as a warning to Israel and the United States." Iran Takes Defiant Steps Over New Sanctions .

As it stands right now, there is a stand off between the West and Iran. Since neither side is willing to give ground on their demands, the negotiation talks are going nowhere fast.-Iran nuclear stand-off: Travelling circus of talks continues .

Here is a borrowed summary ( from the article above) of the demands of each side :

World's powers want Iran to "stop the enrichment of uranium to 20%; close a heavily-fortified enrichment facility near the city of Qom; and export its stockpile of 20% enriched uranium. " ; while Iran wants "a recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium, a lifting of sanctions and a discussion of regional issues including Syria."

Since the last talks have ended in stalemate, both parties have agreed on continuing talks on low-level experts' meetings. Whatever the level is, both sides need to understand that you need to give a little to receiving something back. Right now, Worlds powers are literally trying to bully the nation into submission. Anyone knowing anything about Middle East nations will tell you that they are not lacking anything in the pride department. USA is making the same mistake it constantly makes with Russia... and most of other weaker countries for that matter, using threats to make their point . Washington needs to understand that after recent  recession fiasco, they do not have the same bite as they used to. They will have to learn how to give concessions and compromises rather than orders and threats, especially in the case of pride driven nations such as Russia and Middle East countries. The demands of the Word's powers are simply unrealistic at this point : stop doing everything ( involving YOUR uranium enrichment) and give us everything you have.... or ELSE. Sounds more like a hold up than negotiating talks.  Especially since Iran's biggest enemy and USA ally-  Israel- is considering pre-emptive military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as the talks  unfold. The whole situation is lacking a woman's touch, so to speak. Rather than  discussing the issues, similarities, problems and solutions in a constructive manner, the nations are sizing whose "gun" is bigger. 

Israel and USA need to come to terms with the fact that Iran has uranium and it can do whatever it wants with it. Threats and aggressions will only fuel the Iran's wish to defy the West. Concessions need to be made on the amount of uranium allowed to be enriched by Iran. They will do it anyway! So one might as well give a reasonable amount for Iran to enrich, in exchange for some form of monitoring of their nuclear facilities. In the same way,  Iran should be allowed to stockpile a certain amount of 20% enriched uranium, while giving their promise not to use it for any pre-emptive or offensive action - in fear of risking retaliation by international community.  Although at this time this might seem extreme to Washington or Israel, the continuation of the talks in the current manner is not exactly getting them anywhere. In fact, they are pissing off Iran on daily bases, while Iran is in the continuous process of militarization. This hardly seems like a very clever move.

Moreover, Iran is concerned with the Syrian situation that is greatly destabilizing the region - which is also a huge concern of the Word's powers.  This is a great opportunity for the West to start building a positive relationship with Iran to solve the issue, while creating trust. The opportunity to work together on one issue can greatly facilitate cooperation on other issues as well. If Washington helped Iran to be a stabilizing force in the Middle East - as it did before - then perhaps Iran would not see them as a great evil and concede to their demands on uranium enrichment.

Thoughts on Russia and Assad

Why Russia is standing by Syria's Assad  - Lovely, LOVELY article. Although I already shared my thoughts on Syria crisis, I just had to take a shot at this article. It definitely portrays Russia as "the big bad wolf" ( or more like "big bad bear" in Russia's case ...) because of it's support for Assad's regime on political principle. Russia's principle is that USA/Western states should not intervene in political matters of other nations. Moreover, Western states should not military help to bring down the offending government and install one that is more to their liking. In my opinion, it's not only a solid point of view in principle, but should be one in practice as well. The article states that Western states'  have "responsibility to protect" and to accomplish this they have the right to intervene in the political maters of other countries. We know better what is best for you... arrogant, no? How can  a coalition of countries that has a different system of moral beliefs, cultural beliefs, religious beliefs and political views know what is BEST for a country that is completely opposite from them? Even better, try to MILITARILY impose their "beliefs"  on that country??? Is it because in the past they have had such a great track record of supporting positive governments of the country in crisis???

USA is no angel and no better than Russia by any means. Right now they are selling arms to Assad's opposition ( or are about to) and they are judging Russia for it's arms sale o.O . Don't judge others what you have done yourself.

For example, USA's track record with tyrants is extensive so don't judge Russia as if you're blame free.

Let's look at the government USA suported in the past and what type of USA friendly government Syria can look forward to :

• U.S. DOCUMENTS SHOW EMBRACE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IN EARLY 1980s DESPITE CHEMICAL WEAPONS, EXTERNAL AGGRESSION, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
• 1970s USA supported brutal Shah of Iran  Pahlevi & its brutal police force SAVAK -
• Formed under the guidance of United States and Israeli intelligence officers in 1957, SAVAK developed into an effective secret agency. Over the years, SAVAK became a law unto itself, having legal authority to arrest and detain suspected persons indefinitely. SAVAK operated its own prisons in Tehran (the Komiteh and Evin facilities) and, many suspected, throughout the country as well. SAVAK's torture methods included electric shock, whipping, beating, inserting brokon glass and pouring boiling water into the rectum, tying weights to the testicles, and the extraction of teeth and nails. Many of these activities were carried out without any institutional checks.
  At the peak its influence under the Shah SAVAK had at least 13 full-time case officers running a network of informers and infiltration covering 30,000 Iranian students on United States college campuses. The head of the SAVAK agents in the United States operated under the cover of an attache at the Iranian Mission to the United Nations, with the FBI, CIA, and State Department fully aware of these activities. In 1978 the deepening opposition to the Shah errupted in widespread demonstrations and rioting. SAVAK and the military responded with widespread repression that killed thousands of people - article on SAVAK
• USA installation of Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlevi into power 

• 1980s allaince with Bin Laden - 
• "While studying civil engineering and economics at King Abdulaziz University, Bin Laden became a disciple of the Muslim Brotherhood and Abdullah Azzam, founder of the Hamas militant group.From 1986 to 1988, he raised money for the mujahedeen and fought alongside guerrillas battling to expel the Soviets from Afghanistan with America's help." -Osama Bin Laden's transformation: Rich Saudi scion to U.S. ally to Public Enemy No. 1 
•  Bin Laden—from friend to foe of US imperialism
• A nice summary of  8 other embarrassing allies of USA - America's Other Most Embarrassing Allies

Point made? I hope so. Don't be a hypocrite. Washington should not be condemning the actions of others for supporting questionable governments, while it actually helps instal questionable governments and tyrants. It has a nice long track record of it. That being said, I don't support Assad's regime, but Russia's position definitely has merit. Western states should provide humanitarian aid to the region the best they can and help with the peace talks. However, condemning others for not supporting them in installing by military power a Western friendly government (which may very well be a greater evil) is not acceptable.

Additional Info:
Why Russia Won't Yield on Syria - Great interview! A must! Describes the situation without biases.

Thoughts on scientists' 'death' of evidence funeral

CBC readers react to scientists' 'death' of evidence funeral: The Conservatives strike again! (And just for the record, I am not anti-conservative but I am anti-Harper at this time.) They are introducing the budget cuts into research area. I am not against cuts if they are well justified. However, cutting money supply to the research area can hardly be ever justified. As I read this morning some of the comments from the public for this move, I was completely horrified. Although the majority is against these cuts, there are some people that think research should not be left unaffected by the cuts because other areas have suffered. So if I suffer, everyone else should suffer too, then we can all be one big miserable family :) . Oh come on! It is clear that some areas are important than others....and some areas should be untouchable. Now, I want to talk about the claim some people made that the researchers should seek funding from private sectors.

The government should not be cutting funding to research, because this area is ESSENTIAL to progress of any healthy nation. If we do not go forwards... that's right, we roll backwards. If the researchers start seeking funding from the private sector to fund their projects, then the research only beneficial  the people without great financial benefit will be negatively affected. Every potential private company needs to make sure that the findings are financially beneficial to their company. It is quite unlikely that these companies will promote research that shows the negative affects of the greenhouse gases on the environment. Especially, when the solution to that problem is for the companies to buy more expensive machinery that is environmentally friendly. Let's face it, anything that is environmentally friendly is more expensive for the companies to acquire. What about cancer research? What company will actually fund that? Any pharmaceutical company knows that it will make more money on putting costly bandage solutions to deal with the problem, rather than dealing with the direct cause. We need the research area to be financially backed up by a source that is working for the good of people, not for the good of the profit.  The invisible hand of the market is not going to take care of the research that does not produce big bucks. It is that simple!

As the world seems to be going slowly to hell, we need the innovative research to move us away from the path of destruction and towards more environmentally-friendly sustainable ways! And  it will not be easy or profitable to do that, but the point is that it MUST to be done in order for Earth to continue house the human race, or any race for that matter. We need research that is in-your-face and that is radical for us to be able to deal with all the current world problems in fast enough pace. This research will not bring any financial profit and thus won't/can't be funded by private and profit-driven companies. It is the government's job to take care of the areas that are favourable for the public, but are not guided by the invisible hand. SO, do the job that you were elected to do Mr. Harper.

Thoughts on Sustainable Fisheries

First of all, I would like to mention that I am a full fledged Pescatarian - which is sort of a lazy vegetarian. In nutshell, a pescetarian diet shares many of its components with a vegetarian diet, but it includes fish and shellfish. Consequently, the idea of sustainable fisheries is very important to me.

The first time the issue was brought to my attention was when I stumbled upon the video the End of the Line. It really made me think about how my diet effects the today's world and the future ecosystem. Some "fun" facts for you to make note of:

• Globally, some 75 per cent of wild marine fish are now said to be either fully-exploited or overfished, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation1
• In European waters, some 80 per cent of stocks are recorded as overfished, according to the European Commission.2
• The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 report notes that the sector is a source of income for 55 million people. 
• The problem is that in Europe some 50 per cent of the quotas set by politicians are higher than scientists say are sustainable.3

If the fact that we are having such a negative impact on earth doesn't stunt you, then perhaps the negative impact the destruction of the oceans will have on our lives will.

The warning signs are everywhere, as the scientists cry out for the governments to take active action and pay attention to this serious issue. UN is on-board with the scientific community as well :UN report urges improved fisheries management to help ensure food security . The information is out there and the red flags are all over the place - so to speak.  However, the more I speak to people about this, the more hope I loose in humanity. People just do not care. Let's look at some of those excuses:

• I have other problems to deal with.
• What can I do? I am just one person. I can't make a difference.
• We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
• Let others/scientists worry about this. I'll worry about being good at my job specifically.
• I don't make enough of a negative impact to try to fix the problems others have created.
• I don't eat fish. 

One thing all of these people have in common is that they are missing the point! The point is that if you (specifically) don't take the responsibility for your actions, the oceans will become barren desserts - the effect of which no human will be able to escape. 55 million people will be out of jobs,  can one really genuinely believe that this will not effect everyone else? Talk about mass unemployment... . All of these 55 million people will be after new jobs, the jobs like the one you have now! That's only the economic factor.

What about the environmental effects? Have you ever heard of the food chain? I don't even need the scientific facts to know that once the oceans are empty, the ripple effect through the food chain will be catastrophic. Perhaps  you don't care because you'll be dead by then. Don't count on it. "Leading scientists such as Daniel Pauly suggest that if we continue to catch and eat fish at the current rate, the oceans and seas will be empty within 40 years" -Sea the Truth So in 2048, the oceans will be empty if we keep going at current rate. Thus it is very likely it'll happen in your lifetime. If not, it will definitely happen within the lifetime of your children. Don't we care about the legacy we are leaving to our children.. it'll be a harsh world to bring your kids into.

So what can YOU do, as a one single individual? Well, nations are made up of single individuals... . If everyone starts taking the responsibility for their actions and take action to prevent a catastrophe then CHANGE WILL HAPPEN. Here's how you can do your part:

If you like to eat seafood: 

• Find & buy sustainable seafood : http://www.seachoice.org/search/ .
• Very useful search engine! Takes only one second to check if the seafood you're serving for dinner is sustainable. Don't be lazy. You use it and do your part. 

• Places where you can definitely buy sustainable seafood : http://www.seachoice.org/our-partners/partner-map/
• There are several in/near Toronto and one in Montreal. Ottawa lucked out it seems. However, if you are in BC or the interior provinces you're in luck. Or check out these retailers: http://www.seachoice.org/our-partners/retailers/

If you like to fish then :

• Practice Carbon-conscious Fishing 
•  Use Lead-free Tackle 
• Practice Catch and Release, Unless you Hook an Invasive Species  
• Pack Out Everything You Pack In  
• When You Keep Your Catch, Use Every Part of It - Compost