China Holds Vancouver Roundtable as First Nations Land Transfers Accelerate

On September 3, a China-Canada economic roundtable convened in Vancouver, gathering Indigenous representatives such as Ernie Daniels of the First Nations Finance Authority, former finance minister Bill Morneau and senator Yuen Pau Woo. Chinese Ambassador Wang Di used the forum to commend ties with First Nations and to urge a stronger strategic partnership, citing prospects in green transition, Indigenous finance and community projects.

The gathering comes after landmark court decisions in 2025 that transferred significant parcels of private and Crown land to First Nations and declared provincial legislation subordinate to the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights. An internal B.C. finance ministry document revealed that over 120,000 hectares of Crown land are slated for transfer as treaty lands, exempt from local zoning. Prime Minister Mark Carney is promoting large-scale nation-building projects that require Indigenous participation, including a US$28.5 billion LNG venture with the Nisga’a Nation.

Canadian security agencies have warned that China may exploit Indigenous issues to gain political and economic influence, a concern echoed by intelligence officials. The roundtable underscores the growing intersection of Indigenous land rights, foreign investment and national security considerations.