Hello, China! We're back in business

Well, that "crisis" blew over pretty quickly.

Canada is sending Chilliwack MP and Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl to China this week to help warm up relations between our two countries. A little while back we gave the Dalai Lama Canadian citizenship during his last visit to Vancouver. China's embassy in Ottawa hinted at the time that there would be serious consequences (as reported on Jonathon Narvey's COMM CENTRE).

Nope. Things are back on track. In fact, our trade deficit with China (now at about $22 billion) is only likely to grow - regardless of any concerns Canadians might have about human rights, freedom and corruption in that country.

Strahl will certainly bring up those issues at some point during the talks - as he should. But this is essentially a business meeting.

Tags: China, trade deficit, Dalai Lama, Chuck Strahl