EDMONTON – Albertans are just fine with China, but are having second thoughts about Chinese investments.
That’s according to a recent survey from the China Institute at the University of Alberta. In its annual survey, only 43 per cent of those polled said they would welcome more Chinese investment in Alberta.
That’s a small decrease from the institute’s 2013 survey, when 49 per cent of those polled supported more Chinese investment.
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In addition, only 41 per cent of people polled agreed with the statement: “China’s increasing economic strength benefits Alberta.” In the 2013 survey, 52 per cent agreed.
The report was not completely bad news for Sino-Albertan relations. More than 80 per cent of Albertans polled support increased Chinese tourism in Alberta, and 69 per cent believe that international students from China contribute to Albertan society.
For the China Institute, this year’s study is a sign of an increasing trend.
“I think there’s an acceptance on the part of Albertans, a very gradual acceptance, that China is important,” China Institute Director Dr. Gordon Houlden said.
“But on the other hand, we’ve seen, over the past several years and particularly over the past year, a declining support for Chinese investment.”
Houlden believes that the stagnant Albertan economy is partially to blame.
“We have seen, consistently, every year, slightly weaker support for Chinese investment. I think it’s driven by energy investment and concerns about that.”
Other concerns about Chinese society have played a role. Some of these concerns, outlined in the summary of the survey, include, “foreign control of resources, communist ideology, human rights, as well as labour and environmental standards.”
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However, Chinese investment in Alberta remains the province’s chief issue.
“You get into questions about governance in China, not being a democratic society, sometimes people mention human rights issues, labour standards, those sorts of things,” Houlden said.
“It’s a basket of concerns. But the leading one, to my surprise, is concern about foreign investment.”
Between Alberta’s two major cities, Calgary seems generally more favourable to China than Edmonton. Half of those polled in Calgary agreed with the statement: “Alberta should build stronger ties with China,” compared to 45 per cent in Edmonton.
In addition, 75 per cent of Calgarians polled believe Alberta should increase trade with Asia, while only 69 per cent of Edmontonians agreed.
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Houlden and the institute believe Calgary may be friendlier to China because of its position in international trade.
“I think that national and international business community influence may be larger in Calgary. Edmonton would rank behind that, and then third would be other rural cities and regions.”
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