Prime Minister Stephen Harper: China

China Dept: Harper s visit to Manila is the first by a Canadian prime minister in 15 years and he got the red carpet treatment upon his arrival. But in his efforts to boost trade with Asia, the Philippines is not a prime target; it s China that s the big prize, according to CTV. Commenting on the change of leadership in Beijing in which both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao are handing over the reins to a younger generation -- Harper suggested the shift in power wouldn t mean any real change and prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a preliminary deal to help the Philippines buy more defence equipment from Canada Saturday. But it s his comments on China that are causing the biggest stir. Yet as Harper took reporters questions Saturday, he risked offending China s new Communist leadership by warning there could be political problems ahead if economic freedom doesn't lead to more political freedom. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.