Beijing is witnessing a potential reset in Sino-Canadian relations as President Xi Jinping held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, marking the first such high-level meeting in nearly eight years. This comes amid efforts to mend strained ties plagued by diplomatic rows and trade spats.
Carney, whose visit to China is the first by a Canadian leader in eight years, praised the emerging strategic partnership during discussions at the Great Hall of the People. He emphasized building on the relationship’s strengths to adapt to new global realities, particularly as Canada seeks to diversify away from heavy reliance on the United States.
Tensions had escalated since 2018 when Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant, prompting China to detain two Canadian citizens on espionage charges. Retaliatory tariffs and accusations of election interference further soured relations. But recent overtures signal a thaw.
Xi welcomed Carney, referencing their October APEC summit encounter as a turning point. ‘Our meeting last year opened a new chapter in improving China-Canada relations,’ Xi stated, adding that stable development serves both nations’ common interests. He expressed satisfaction with recent cooperation restarts.
Carney’s agenda included meetings with Premier Li Qiang on Thursday and plans to engage business leaders on trade. With US tariffs under President Trump’s second term biting into Canadian exports, Beijing offers an attractive alternative. Both sides appear committed to steering relations back on track, potentially ushering in a fresh era of collaboration.