China, Canada seek normalization amid historic tensions
Date
7/21/2024 4:48:02 AM
(MENAFN) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Canada to enhance efforts to normalize their bilateral relations and return to the path of establishing a strategic partnership. Speaking with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, Wang emphasized that China does not wish for the difficulties and fluctuations that have marked China-Canada relations over the years. The bilateral relationship, established in 1970, has faced significant strain since the 2018 arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada and the subsequent detention of two Canadians in China. Although all three individuals were eventually released, ongoing accusations of interference in each other’s affairs have kept tensions high.
Wang Yi underscored that there are no fundamental conflicts of interest between Beijing and Ottawa, suggesting that maintaining and developing bilateral relations serves the interests of both nations and their peoples. He also asserted that matters related to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong are internal issues for China, and Canada should refrain from interference. According to the Chinese ministry, Joly affirmed Canada’s adherence to the "one China" policy and expressed a willingness to actively develop bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in trade, economy, tourism, climate change, and anti-drug efforts.
The discussion between Wang and Joly also touched on global issues, including the war in Ukraine and the escalation in Gaza. This dialogue comes against the backdrop of Canada’s spy agency concluding in April that China had interfered in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections, leading to the formation of a commission to investigate foreign interference.
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