[War] PRC: "A Warm Reception from a Cold Place"

[Michael Downey]

"A Warm Reception from a Cold Place"
President Xiao Wu
People's Republic of China
21 April 2006
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If President Hazen had come off as subtlety hostile towards China,
then the letter Wu received from the Canadian Department of Foreign
Affairs seemed much more welcoming. And that was a good sign. While
Canada was not as important to Chinese economic interests as the
United States, the more Northern of nation was still China's
second-largest trading partner in the West.

Plus, the seeming willingness of Ottawa to construct the CANDU
reactors for China pleased Wu to no end.

"I am also pleased by their proposals on automotive trade," said Wu to
Ambassador David Hung, the Hong Kong-born PRC Ambassador to Canada.
"That in exchange for us being more receptive to their chemical and
plastic products is a very generous offer. If only the Americans were
this accommodating."

"The Canadians have far less reason to be afraid of us, Mr.
President," said Huang on the other end of the phone. This was indeed
a very astute observation. Wu was beginning to suspect the current
administration in Washington might be weary of a political, economic
and military rival in the form of China that the United States had not
seen the likes of since the Soviet Union fell apart.

"Inform Prime Minister Harding that I agree with the visit agenda and
look forward to meeting him in Ottawa," said the President. "Thank
you, Ambassador."

After Wu had hung up, he looked over at Foreign Minister Zhoau. "It
seems the America's Northern relatives are very eager to meet with us
and do business."

Zhoau gave a smile that indicated he was as pleased as Wu was. "If our
new government can maintain warm relations with Canada, it will be of
great economic and diplomatic benefit. While they certainly do not
have as much clout with the EU as the Americans do, the Canadians are
liked and respected by the Europeans. They could be our doorway to
better ties with the European Union if Washington takes steps to
impede us."

There was no doubt in Zhoau's mind that the Americans would try and
prevent the EU from lifting their arms embargo against China. It would
allow the US arms industry to keep a new, and vast, market to
themselves, and the EU (France in particular) might be willing to sell
China certain advanced weapon systems the United States was not.

"All the more reason I want things with Canada to go very smoothly,"
said Wu. "It is rare for a Western nation to come to us with genuine
intentions of cooperation and friendship. Too often they fear us. If
the Canadians want closer ties, in any area, then I am happy to
accommodate them."
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Actions:
1) Give a positive response to the Canadian diplomatic overtures.
2) Purchase the two CANDU reactors