Stephen McNeil said Thursday it's best to maintain a dialogue with China, even as Canada's Public Security minister decried the nation's formal arrest of two Canadian citizens it has been holding since December.

At least nine people were killed and many are still missing after one of the strongest typhoons on record barrelled into the southern China.

More than 10 tigers have been killed and served as "visual feasts" to entertain rich businessman and officials in China, according to state media.