March 19, 2021 –

The Canada China Forum was horrified and deeply saddened to learn of the violent killings of eight individuals, including six Asian-American women, in Atlanta on March 16, 2021. This is an unspeakable tragedy for the innocent victims. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and the communities of those involved. 

The attack follows a year-long trend of increased incidents of hate crime against Asians around the world, the majority of which targets women and the elderly. The Asian communities in Canada, like those in the United States, have faced heightened levels of discrimination over the past year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased tension between the Western world and China. 

In both Canada and the United States, generations of individuals of Asian descent have helped build our two countries. The Canada China Forum recognizes that Canada’s relationship with China and other Asian countries cannot be discussed without considering and engaging the Chinese and Asian diaspora communities that have made critical contributions to Canadian society.

The Canada China Forum is committed to building bridges of cross-cultural understanding in service of Canada’s national interest, grounded in respect, inclusiveness, and fundamental values of a liberal society, where hate, racism, discrimination, and misogyny have no place.

The Canada China Forum rejects and condemns any and all threats of hate, racism and violence against the Asian community. We all have a collective responsibility to fight racism and injustice. 

As the Canada China Forum grows, we also aim to amplify voices from within Asian Canadian communities who are actively working to engage, educate, and advocate for equality. As part of #StopAsianHate, we would like to share the following resources: