In a significant move towards enhancing bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in talks with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly on Friday. Wang emphasized the importance of returning to the original intention of establishing a strategic partnership and promoting the normalization of China-Canada relations.
Highlighting recent challenges in the bilateral relationship, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called for serious reflection from the Canadian side. He assured that there are no conflicts of fundamental interests between the two nations, noting the long-standing friendly exchanges between the people of China and Canada.
Wang underscored that as two influential countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and Canada share extensive common interests and complementary advantages. He advocated for mutual respect, objective and rational perspectives, and the handling of differences by seeking common ground while shelving disagreements.
With the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Canada strategic partnership approaching next year, Wang stressed the need to honor diplomatic commitments and inject momentum into normalizing bilateral relations. He also highlighted the potential for continued economic and trade cooperation, as well as exploration of dialogue and collaboration in various fields.
Canadian Minister Mélanie Joly echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the long history of friendship between the Canadian and Chinese people. She expressed Canada's willingness to actively improve and develop relations, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, tourism, drug control, climate change, environmental protection, and people-to-people exchanges. Joly affirmed that Canada remains committed to the one-China policy.
Wang called on Canada to take concrete actions to facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance popular support between the two nations. He reiterated that issues related to Taiwan, Xizang, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong are internal affairs of China and should not be subject to external interference.
Reference(s):
Chinese foreign minister calls to normalize ties with Canada
cgtn.com
