Canada, China to Mend Relations After Beijing Meeting

Canada and China to mend relations after Beijing meeting as Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly made a surprise visit.

Canada and China have committed to advancing their bilateral relations pragmatically, following more than six years of strained ties due to the imprisonment of two Canadian citizens.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly met with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing, marking the first face-to-face talks in China’s capital involving a Canadian foreign minister since 2017.

According to a readout from Global Affairs Canada, the two ministers acknowledged recent positive developments, such as the resumption of consular consultations and senior-level exchanges. “Minister Joly’s visit reaffirms the commitment to pragmatic engagement with China and the development of sound and stable bilateral relations,” the statement said.

China expressed a willingness to explore opportunities to strengthen engagement on issues like climate change, the environment, curbing the fentanyl crisis, and improving trade relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s readout emphasized the importance of maintaining and developing good bilateral relations.

Henri-Paul Normandin, a former Canadian diplomat, highlighted the significance of the meeting in reopening channels of communication, noting that while tensions remain, this dialogue is a crucial step towards resolving issues and improving ties.

The meeting attempts to reset relations after the December 2018 detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, seen as retaliation for the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the U.S.’s request.

Wang noted the difficulties and twists in China-Canada relations in recent years, calling for serious reflection from Canada. Notably, China’s statement was free of the usual strongly worded attacks, suggesting a more measured diplomatic tone.

A senior Canadian government source described the meeting as constructive and productive, achieving Canada’s goals of voicing concerns and working on common interests. Joly raised the issue of Chinese political interference in Canadian politics, including alleged interference in federal elections and intimidation of the Chinese diaspora in Canada.

Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China, praised Joly’s approach as a good example of diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of addressing difficult issues while maintaining dialogue. He noted the pressure on China to improve its sputtering economy, suggesting that both sides recognize the need to rebuild trust.

While relations are not yet back to normal, the commitment to continued dialogue is a positive step forward.