TORONTO -- Dominic Barton is stepping down as Canada鈥檚 ambassador to China at the end of the month, according to a statement from the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office released Monday.
鈥淲ith much gratitude and respect, I have accepted Ambassador Barton鈥檚 decision to leave his post in Beijing at the end of the year,鈥� the statement reads.
Barton has served as ambassador to China for the past two years, during a period Trudeau鈥檚 statement described as 鈥渁 time when relations between our two countries faced difficult challenges.鈥�
The statement also thanked Barton for his involvement in securing the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. The two men were detained in China for nearly three years in a move widely seen as retaliation by China for the 2018 arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver.
鈥淗e worked tirelessly on this important task,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淭hanks for Dominic鈥檚 leadership and skilled diplomatic approach, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are back at home with their families.鈥�
The statement did not address who would be stepping in to the role after Barton鈥檚 departure.
In a personal statement released Monday, Barton said he will step down effective Dec. 31, 2021, and said the return of the two Michaels was the highlight of his tenure as ambassador between the two nations.
鈥淲orking to secure Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor鈥檚 release has been one of the most significant events in my life and I have been incredibly moved by the bravery and resilience of these two men, as well as their families,鈥� Barton鈥檚 statement said. 鈥淚t was the honour of a lifetime to help with their release and I am extremely proud of the many Canadian public servants who helped bring them home.鈥�
Barton said in his statement that he believes the relationship between Canada and China is 鈥渙f critical importance to our future
In response to Barton鈥檚 departure, Conservative Leader Erin O鈥橳oole said at a media briefing Monday morning that the Trudeau government has 鈥渕ishandled the relationship with China鈥� since the prime minister came to power.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to thank Mr. Barton for his service, we had no ambassador for almost a year in between Mr. Barton and Mr. McCallum who had to resign because of failures to be transparent with respect to the situation with the two Michaels,鈥� O鈥橳oole said, adding that he believes most Canadians regard the relationship between China and Canada as 鈥渁 mess.鈥�
O鈥橳oole urged a principle-based approach to the relationship with China where 鈥渆conomic concerns will not dominate concerns over human rights,鈥� citing the crackdown in Hong Kong, the alleged persecution of Uyghurs and heightened tensions over Taiwan.
鈥淚 hope Mr. Trudeau puts a professional, experienced diplomat in that post, not a friend of the Liberal Party,鈥� O鈥橳oole said.
