Norman Bethune's Influence On Canadian Relations

In today’s rapidly growing global society, foreign relations with other countries are imperative to a nation’s prosperity and world-wide harmony. Especially with China, the fastest growing country in the world, it is important for Canada to establish relations that can benefit both countries. The foundation of these Sino-Canadian relations was created by Norman Bethune’s involvement in the Second Sino-Japanese War. China was not always such a flourishing and prosperous society. In 1937, during this war, Japan invaded China with imperialist objectives. It wrought lurid death and destruction upon Chinese lands, leaving 20 million dead and 15 million injured between the years of 1937 and 1945. Dr. Norman Bethune was at the forefront of the aid

Norman Bethune’s legacy in China also proved significant in the development of Canada’s official political ties with China. In 1972, after Canada’s erection of diplomatic relations with China on October 13, 1970 under the Trudeau government, Canadian Foreign Minister Mitchell Sharp led a Canadian trade delegation to China to meet with Premier Zhou Enlai. During this trip, Sharp also travelled to Shijiazhuang, China, where he recognized the significant contribution to Canada-China relations of Norman Bethune. This trip demonstrated that even though Canada and China were completely different nations that were separated by an ocean, they still had the respect and heraldry for Norman Bethune in common. The legacy of Bethune had created a mutual solid foundation from which diplomatic ties could flourish. This visit was a success and as a result also paved way to another one in 1973, by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. In his visit in 1973, Trudeau became the first Canadian Prime Minister to pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. In this visit, Trudeau was able to establish further diplomatic relations with China through his meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong. The two leaders discussed the relationship of their countries, economic reforms, and foreign affairs. Both leaders showed respect and goodwill toward the other; as was televised nationally in China. Viewers tuned in across the nation to this historic visit and to see their hero’s country

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