Working with China towards a new international architecture

About the Authors Gordon Smith is the Director of the Centre for Global Studies and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Victoria. [...] The Chinese position has been clear with respect to the future of the IMF, arguing that it should give priority to surveillance of the ongoing financial turmoil, deepen its analysis, learn lessons and listen to the opinions of member countries. [...] With respect to Executive Board seats, the Europeans should cede two of their seats to provide voice for the African constituencies.25 It is time for the rest of the world to insist that the Europeans end their hypocrisy on reform. [...] Volatile oil prices and the need to cut global carbon emissions have led to calls for China to join the IEA, the energy forum for the world's oil consuming countries – sometimes denoted as a counter cartel to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. [...] Canada could lead the effort to persuade the G20 to urge amending the IEA’s constitution, which currently requires membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for participation in the IEA, as well as promote China’s membership in the OECD.