Healthy people-to-people exchanges are the lifeblood of China-Canada relations

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People-to-people exchanges between China and Canada have entered a new phase of recovery and growth since Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's official visit to China in January. The two sides agreed that people-to-people bonds form the foundation of bilateral relations and restarted the China-Canada Joint Cultural Committee, boosting cooperation in culture, education, arts, cultural heritage, and creative industries.

History bears witness to a timeless truth: Cross-border people's bonds have always been the bedrock of bilateral relations. In today's complex geopolitics, it is imperative to safeguard the momentum of healthy cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and prioritize cooperation in academia, education, and tourism between China and Canada. Mutual understanding can take root only through genuine engagement, serving the fundamental interests of both nations.

China-Canada relations abound with inspiring people-to-people exchange stories. Henry Norman Bethune stands as an eternal symbol of selfless friendship between the two nations.

The renowned surgeon traded the comforts of his flourishing practice to join the Chinese people in their struggle during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. He arrived in China in 1938, where he performed surgeries in the battlefield, saving the lives of thousands of critically wounded soldiers.

When he died of a wound infection in 1939 at the age of 49, Chairman Mao Zedong wrote an essay, In Memory of Norman Bethune, in tribute, lauding Bethune's "utterly selfless and dedicated" spirit. Bethune's legacy continues to inspire friendship between the two peoples.

Crosstalk artist and TV personality Mark Henry Rowswell carries this spirit of cultural exchange forward today. A Canadian student who fell in love with the Chinese language and culture, Rowswell, better known by his Chinese name Dashan, moved to China in 1988 to study at Peking University.

He became the first foreigner to train as a Chinese xiangsheng (crosstalk) performer, and became a familiar face on China's TV screens. Today, as a Canada-China cultural ambassador, he continues to use his platform to challenge biased narratives, sharing authentic stories of China with Canadian audiences and fostering mutual respect.

Bethune and Dashan represent two eras of China-Canada people-to-people exchanges, yet their core mission is identical: to build bridges across differences. Their stories prove that friendship transcends borders, politics, and time.

To safeguard the sound momentum of people‑to‑people exchanges between China and Canada, there are concrete steps the Canadian government can take to advance bilateral cooperation, building on the positive shifts since Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China.

Educational exchanges have rebounded strongly: China remains one of the top sources of international students for Canadian universities, while growing numbers of Canadian students and scholars are studying and researching in China through long‑running programs like the Canada‑China Scholars' Exchange Program. These collaborations nurture young talent with cross‑cultural insights and lay a long‑term foundation for friendship.

The Canadian government should give high priority to academic and educational exchanges. It can expand scholarship support for Chinese and Canadian students, simplify study permit processing, extend postgraduation work opportunities, and encourage more universities to launch structured partnership programs. Such measures will deepen intellectual ties and foster a new generation of friendly individuals.

Cross‑border tourism has also rebounded, supported by China's recent visa‑free policy for short‑term Canadian visitors, increased direct flights, and restored group travel. To boost tourism, the Canadian government should streamline visa and entry procedures for Chinese visitors, upgrade tourism services and multilingual support, and promote joint cultural festivals, heritage tours, and local exchange events. By lowering barriers and enhancing people‑friendly services, Canada can help more Chinese travelers experience its culture and landscapes, while encouraging more Canadians to visit China.

In the end, engaging with each other is not just a choice – it is a necessity. Only through face-to-face interactions, academic collaboration, and cultural exchange can the two countries build trust, dispel prejudices, and unlock the full potential of their bilateral relations.

This creates more opportunities for economic cooperation, enriches cultural life, and ensures a more stable and prosperous future for the next generation. This serves the fundamental interests of both Chinese and Canadian peoples.

Bethune and Dashan’s legacies remind us that people-to-people exchanges are the lifeblood of China-Canada relations. They are not just stories from the past; they are a blueprint for the future. As we navigate today's complex world, it is crucial to reject division, embrace friendship, and keep the momentum of healthy exchanges alive.

The author Liu Kun is a political analyst based in Beijing.

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