List of Canadian ambassadors to China
This is a list of Canadian ambassadors to China. Canada previously maintained relations with the Republic of China until October 13, 1970. Since that date Canada has recognized People's Republic of China as the government of China. Canada's embassy in Beijing was established on June 10, 1971.[1] From 1942 to 1946 the representative was in Chongqing (the exile capital for the Republic) and from 1946 to late 1949 in Nanking, then from 1949 to 1971 it was located in Taipei.
| Head of Post | Appointment Date | Termination of mission |
|---|---|---|
| Major General Victor Wentworth Odlum[2] | November 5, 1942 | October 4, 1946 |
| George Sutton Patterson[3] | October 4, 1946 | October 24, 1946 |
| The Honourable Thomas Clayton Davis[4] | October 24, 1946 | April 1, 1949 |
| Chester Ronning[3] | April 1, 1949 | February 26, 1951 |
| John MacLeod Fraser[3] | January 11, 1971 | June 10, 1971 |
| Ralph Edgar Collins[4] | April 8, 1971 | September 17, 1972 |
| Charles John Small[4] | June 8, 1972 | October 8, 1976 |
| Arthur Menzies[4] | June 29, 1976 | September 23, 1980 |
| Michel Gauvin[4] | September 12, 1980 | - |
| Richard Vessot Gorham[4] | May 31, 1984 | - |
| Earl Gordon Drake[4] | September 10, 1987 | October 5, 1990 |
| M. Fred Bild[4] | 1990 | December 4, 1994 |
| John Lawrence Paynter[4] | December 23, 1994 | October 31, 1995 |
| Howard Balloch[4] | February 13, 1996 | - |
| Joseph Caron[4] | July 16, 2001 | July 28, 2005 |
| Robert G. Wright[4] | August 19, 2005 | 2009 |
| David Mulroney[4] | 2009 | 2012 |
| Guy Saint-Jacques[4] | 2012 | [5] |
This posting is assigned to diplomats with experience with relations in China or Asia (namely the Far East). Ronning, Collins and Menzies (b. in Kunming) were Chinese born diplomats and likely appointed due their ability to communicate with the Chinese.
Victor Odlum is the only non diplomat to hold the post.
John Lawrence Paynter died in China shortly after his appointment, making him the only appointee to die at their posting in China.
- ↑ http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hp_search_results-en.asp?frm=search
- ↑ Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chargé d'Affaires a.i.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- ↑ "Canada names Guy Saint-Jacques ambassador to China". CBC.ca. 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2012-09-26.