Darren Touch on the Future of Canada-China Relations

The Negotiation

In this episode of The Negotiation, Darren Touch, founder and CEO of the Canada China Forum, discusses his interest in international relations with China and his experience as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. He shares his insights on the current state of Canada-China relations and the necessary steps to strengthen the relationship. Touch emphasizes the importance of people-to-people exchanges, educational programs, and language proficiency in building a new generation of leaders well-versed in China affairs. He also highlights the challenges of binary thinking and the opportunities for Canadians to gain hands-on experience in China and other parts of the world. Enjoy!

Key Points:

• Developing a nuanced understanding of China is crucial for building a balanced and informed approach to Canada's strategy towards China.
• People-to-people exchanges and educational programs are key to strengthening the Canada-China relationship.
• Language proficiency and hands-on experience in China are valuable competencies for future leaders in international policy and diplomacy.
• Challenges include binary thinking and the need to overcome biases and stereotypes about China.
• Opportunities lie in expanding educational programs and encouraging Canadians to gain international experience.
• Leaving one's comfort zone and experiencing different cultures and perspectives is essential for personal and professional growth.