Canada sees potential, prospects for co-op with China

There are huge potential and broad prospects for cooperation between the Canadian indigenous people and China, a Canadian indigenous leader said on Sunday.

"China is a country on the move. It develops in a tremendous degree with a tremendous pace, which is unimaginable for this to happen in Canada," Edward John, grand chief of the First Nations or Canada's indigenous people, told Xinhua.

It's high time for Canada to facilitate ties with China, the world's second largest economy, as the two countries celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, he said.

The indigenous people should be involved when the Canadian government and business leaders develop relations with China, said John, who has given lectures at Chinese universities on cross-cultural communication.

"That's why we come here to tell our stories to the Chinese. That's why we brought here drums and dances featuring our culture," the indigenous leader said, explaining that cultural understanding and appreciation could connect the peoples of the two countries better than just economic bond.

John, who is from Northern British Columbia, also stressed the significance of cross-cultural exchanges, saying it's the best way to protect minorities' rights, sustain their cultures, enhance understanding and decrease prejudices.

"Living with differences, which has nothing to do with superiority or inferiority of a culture but with the unique and independent things in it, is a lesson we are yet to learn," he added.

He said that the First Nations only had limited communication with China in trade before a devastating earthquake hit China's southwest Sichuan province in 2008.

A Canadian indigenous delegation came to Sichuan and donated a totem pole to the ethnic Qiang people as a symbol of respect and healing.

"It was a gift from the heart to do two things," John said. "To honor and remember those who lost their lives in the earthquake, and to let the spirits wipe away the tears of the survivors who lost families and relatives."

In 2010, then Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean and John brought the five-meter pole on a military jet during a state visit to China.

The pole, now standing in the new city of Beichuan county, is a celebration of cultures and a "symbolic and generous gesture that is very much appreciated," John quoted Chinese President Hu Jintao as saying when meeting him at that time.

"It is important for a community that has experienced so much difficulty to have this support," Hu said.

The Canadian indigenous people have sought to increase trade and economic cooperation with China in recent years, as the indigenous authorities are facing a pressing task to better their people's livelihood.

As Chinese investment goes into British Columbia, the First Nations has been working with foundations to develop business plans.

"For now we have offices in four Chinese cities, but we want to see an office in every city of China," John said.

"I really appreciate China for being supportive when we managed to get the UN to adopt the Declaration on Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in 2007," said John, who was newly appointed North American Representative to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

"I am glad to see China has now an increasingly important role in international affairs, and that will help secure world peace and minimize crashes," he said.