In a wide-ranging public webinar hosted by the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War and endorsed by the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network, Green Party of Quebec leader Alex Tyrrell delivered a detailed reportback from a recent 13-day trip to China organized and sponsored by the Chinese government. His presentation — attended by hundreds across Canada — offered a rare on-the-ground perspective on China’s development, technological innovations, and international diplomacy, while also challenging dominant Western narratives of hostility toward the country.
Tyrrell’s visit came amidst rising tensions between Canada and China, including unproven allegations of election interference, confrontational military posturing in the Taiwan Strait, and the passage of Canada’s Foreign Agents Registry Act, which Tyrrell described as “the modern Exclusion Act” targeting Chinese Canadians. “This hysteria,” he argued, “is building animosity towards China and preparing Canadians for conflict.”
Eco-Socialism and Anti-Imperialist Perspective
Tyrrell, who has led the PVQ since 2013, situated his visit within his party’s eco-socialist and anti-imperialist framework. “Canada has nothing to gain from provoking a war with China,” he said, adding that the PVQ supports diplomacy and cooperation over confrontation and sanctions. He sharply criticized the Green Party of Canada’s shift toward militarism, accusing it of endorsing “life sentences for associations” with foreign nationals and of “failing to be part of the solution.”
He also contrasted Canada’s aggressive posture with China’s record: “China hasn’t been involved in a military conflict for over 45 years,” he said, adding that its international development strategy — particularly in Africa — relies on shared infrastructure ownership, not regime change or military force.
Technological Impressions: From EVs to Maglev Trains
Tyrrell’s trip spanned Beijing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Shanghai, including meetings with foreign ministry officials, artists, journalists, and students. While political conversations dominated his first days in Beijing, he also emphasized China’s extraordinary achievements in infrastructure and technology.
Highlights included:
- Fully automated shipping ports in Ningbo.
- Small affordable electric vehicles, some under $20,000.
- Wide bike lanes and massive fleets of public-use electric bikes and scooters.
- The world’s fastest commercial train — the Maglev — operating at 300 km/h.
- Refrigerator tech that quadruples produce shelf life via vacuum-sealed drawers.
He praised these advancements as models for Canada’s green transition, particularly criticizing Ottawa’s 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels: “Canada is slowing down the energy transition for political reasons.”
Candid Political Discussion
Tyrrell did not shy away from addressing controversial topics, including the Uyghur situation, the detention of the “two Michaels,” and China’s death penalty. He emphasized that many accusations — such as so-called “Chinese police stations” in Canada — are based on leaks rather than evidence. “If a police force wants to make serious claims, they should do it in court.”
While refraining from taking a definitive stance on every issue, Tyrrell expressed skepticism toward narratives pushed by Canadian media and intelligence agencies. He encouraged Canadians to question the double standards — particularly on genocide designations in Xinjiang versus Gaza.
On Taiwan, he reiterated his party’s support for Canada’s official One China policy, warning that military provocations near the island could spark catastrophic conflict.
The Green Party Divide
Asked what role the Green movement could play in improving Canada-China relations, Tyrrell drew a sharp contrast between his Quebec party and the federal Greens under Elizabeth May. “They’re echoing the politics of fear, militarism, and empire,” he said. “We need a complete 180 — and that includes replacing the current leadership.”
He called for left-wing activists to “clean house” and reclaim the party from “eco-capitalist and NATO-aligned” influences. “Right now, the Green Party of Canada is a huge embarrassment to the peace movement.”
Broader Reflections
Throughout the webinar, Tyrrell emphasized the value of firsthand experience. He acknowledged that the trip was state-sponsored but stressed his transparency and the importance of dialogue over demonization. “We need to reduce the emissions of air travel — but diplomacy and understanding are not optional in a world teetering toward war.”
He concluded with a call for world peace to be listed as an explicit objective of Canada’s foreign policy. “We’re hurtling toward global conflict with blinders on,” he said. “Canada should be a voice for peace — not the spearhead of escalation.”
