Canada has agreed to pursue dialogue with China towards a bilateral extradition treaty, the Canadian Prime Minister's office announced. Canada had long resisted any such treaty on account of human rights concerns.

The announcement was made just a day before the scheduled deportment of Canadian missionary Kevin Garratt. Canadian authorities have vehemently denied making any concessions for Garratt's release,

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The move to stage talks for a bilateral treaty comes as a part of growing cooperation between China and Canada to nail down fugitives.

According to NY Times, China has long been interested in signing bilateral extradition treaties with some western nations, which it claims have become an attractive destination for corrupt Chinese officials. In the recent years, China has solidified its war against corruption and has carried out several anti-corruption campaigns under the leadership of its President Xi Jinping.

China signed one such treaty with Australia in 2007. However, Australia is yet to ratify the agreement. In the past, The United States, New Zealand, and Britain have declined to enter into any such treaty with China.  Reuters reported that these countries are mainly concerned about China's human rights record.

Canada's Foreign Affair Ministry has stated that Canada's relationship with China hinges on promoting and protecting human rights.  In 2011, Canada extradited Lai Changxing, a Chinese billionaire accused of corruption. The extradition took place after authorities in Ottawa received assurance from China that Lai will not be tortured or executed. In 2015, the US had also deported Yang Jinjun, a businessman accused of corruption, to China.  

TagsCanada, china, Kevin Garratt