On the afternoon of October 28^th, Renmin University’s Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies hosted the 29^th Chongyang Discussion Salon on the topic: “China and the G-20: A Canadian Perspective.” Distinguished guest and speaker at the event was the former Canadian Prime Minister and former Minister of Finance, Paul Martin.

As the first chairman of the G-20, Mr. Paul Martin offered his views on China’s changing role in global governance as the country prepares to host the G-20 Summit next year. He noted the importance of the summit as a platform for encouraging nations to work toward sustainable mechanisms of global cooperation that will benefit not only the G-20 member states but aim at the establishment of more equitable and just governance around the world. While acknowledging that cultural and historical differences can impede successful communication between member states, Martin hopes that China will mine its own reserves of traditional wisdom to mediate between them in order to reduce misunderstandings and promote effective communication. The host country in particular, plays a significant role in steering talks toward meaningful interchange and the discussion of implementable goals. Those in attendance included Andrés Rozental of the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada, Director of the Global Economy Program Domenico Lombardi, former Vice President of the Bank of China, Deputy Head of Mission of the Canadian Embassy in Beijing Cindy Termorshuizen, and several representatives of RUC’s Chongyang Insitute for Financial Studies.