But beyond these issues, we must protect our self-respect as a nation, our belief in democracy and the rule of law in the face of an economic superpower and totalitarian regime that treats other, weaker nations, as specks to be crushed in its quest for world power.

Let’s not kid ourselves. That’s the Chinese government’s ultimate goal, to strong-arm Canada to give into its demands and to force our government to choose its relations with Beijing over its long history of economic and political ties with Washington. If Canada can be forced to retreat, what a glorious victory it would be for the Beijing regime and a cautionary tale to any other country that dares to stand up for its own system of laws against the Chinese economic steamroller.