On the morning of November 1, 2024, the China-Canada Friendship Symposium in Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Passing of Dr. Norman Bethune was held in Beijing. Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Diana Tan, Public Diplomacy Counselor of the Embassy of Canada in China; Michael Crook, Chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives; and Nelly Ng, Chair of the Canadian Fund for International Understanding through Culture, attended and delivered speeches. Over 50 representatives from governments, people-to-people friendship organizations, hospitals, schools, research institutions, and media from both China and Canada participated in the symposium. Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the CPAFFC Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, presided over the meeting.
Shen Xin paid tribute to Dr. Norman Bethune, who, in 1938, left the comforts of his homeland to lead a medical team supporting China's resistance against Japanese aggression, ultimately sacrificing his life in the process. Shen noted that Bethune's story remains deeply ingrained in Chinese hearts, and his legacy of internationalism and humanitarianism continues to inspire people in both countries. Shen expressed hope that individuals with vision in both China and Canada would carry forward Dr. Bethune's spirit, enhance mutual understanding, rebuild trust, and expand exchanges and cooperation across all fields.
Representatives from institutions such as the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the Bethune Spirit Research Association, the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, the Canadian Fund for International Understanding through Culture, the Canada-China Friendly Exchange Association, and the AKD International Inc. shared their experiences in fostering people-to-people exchanges in areas such as healthcare, education, and culture between China and Canada, as well as other countries. Participants unanimously agreed that the enduring friendship between the peoples of China and Canada serves as a cornerstone for steady China-Canada relations. Chinese and Canadian people enjoy a deep friendship. Despite current challenges, they expressed optimism about resuming and deepening exchanges and cooperation across all sectors. They called for renewed efforts to embody Dr. Bethune's spirit through concrete actions and to convey the voices of the people to policymakers, thereby facilitating the thawing and growth of China-Canada relations.
