Bloc Leader Blanchet Holds Meeting with Chinese Ambassador, Stresses Relationship ‘Not Intended to Form Friendships’
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet mentioned that he approached a meeting with the Chinese ambassador without naivety, highlighting a significant gap between the parties.
During a press conference in Ottawa on Aug. 15, Blanchet shared, “We covered topics such as trade, culture, human rights, self-determination, and the environment.”
He emphasized the significant divide in perspectives between the parties, particularly noting the Bloc’s strong commitment to the self-determination rights of various communities.
Blanchet stated that the Bloc maintains close ties with communities like Tibet, Taiwan, and Uyghurs, asserting that there can be no compromise on issues of self-determination and human rights with China.
The Bloc, a separatist party with connections to independence movements in other regions like Catalonia in Spain, expressed a clear stance on these matters.
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Blanchet also mentioned that topics like minority rights and foreign interference were addressed during the meeting, with the ambassador’s transparency being questioned on the latter issue.
He noted that Wang denied China’s involvement in any form of interference globally, despite an ongoing public inquiry on the matter.
Blanchet’s invitation to the meeting from the Chinese embassy signals an attempt at formal reconciliation with Ottawa.
Blanchet concluded by mentioning his impression that Wang aims to establish a new tone in the post-Huawei and post-Michael period.
