Nova Scotia’s premier says Canada is stuck between two super powers.
Tensions are growing as China has now detained three Canadians since a powerful Chinese business woman was arrested at the behest of the United States.
The third Canadian – a teacher, was detained this week, though the federal government says the arrest is unrelated to the first incidents.
Stephen McNeil and a delegation of Nova Scotians recently returned from a trade mission to China.
McNeil is concerned about inroads they’ve made on seafood and other issues.
“The longer it continues and of course it puts some of that into jeaopardy and … you worry about it, so hopefully it can be resolved,” says McNeil.
McNeil says Nova Scotia sees 4,000 Chinese university students a year and they want that number to increase.
“We were very well received, the relationship that we built there in terms of our exporting of seafood and seafood product has been tremendous, we’re also looking at getting a direct flight from China into Halifax,” he says.
The premier believes a solution can be found.
“We’re stuck between two super powers at this point but I believe we need to find a resolution to it within the law.”
The government has not issued a travel advisory related to the recent detentions in China.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
