Chinese and Canadian FMs converse over the phone

On Tuesday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly at her request.

Wang stated during their talk that the peoples of China and Canada have had long-standing amicable relations, emphasising that Canada was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

However, the Meng Wanzhou issue has caused a major setback in China-Canada ties in recent years, which Wang says is something he does not want to see.

The heart of this issue is the United States’ use of pressure to repress Chinese high-tech businesses, which Wang described as “a disgraceful act that everyone could witness.”

He went on to say that no government should participate as a facilitator of such unilateral intimidation, and that any country targeted by the US approach has the right to respond in kind.

Wang said the present state of bilateral ties is not in the interests of both countries, noting that China always perceives and conducts China-Canada relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. He urged Canada to stand up to the challenges and collaborate with China. In addition, he made three ideas in this respect.

To begin, Canada should take an impartial approach to China and maintain a consistent and pragmatic China policy.

According to Wang, China’s political system and development path are the Chinese people’s own choices, which have an unavoidable historical logic and are in keeping with China’s national conditions and requirements.

He stated that China’s development and prosperity are not only a fundamental entitlement of its 1.4 billion people, but also a vital aspect of humanity’s modernity.

There are no historical differences or genuine conflicts of interest between China and Canada. China believes that Canada would do more to strengthen mutual confidence and advance bilateral ties in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win, Wang added.

Second, the two nations should respect each other’s essential interests and avoid erecting additional barriers to bilateral cooperation.

The one-China concept is the political cornerstone of China-Canada ties, according to Wang, who also stated that if the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, China-Canada relations will be severely harmed.

He expressed China’s hope that Canada will adopt the proper attitude and posture on problems affecting China’s fundamental interests.

Finally, Canada must maintain its independence and avoid undue external meddling.

Wang said there are many excellent tales and traditions in China-Canada contacts that should be preserved and carried forward, noting that the older generation of leaders of the two countries overcame barriers to make the decision to establish diplomatic ties.

He expressed China’s expectation that Canada will work with it to eradicate external interference, overcome obstacles, and achieve a sound, stable, and long-term growth of bilateral relations.

Joly stated that Canada was one of the first countries to recognise the PRC, and that Canada-China relations are solid. He went on to say that Canada respects China’s sovereignty, system, and the choices made by the Chinese people on their own, and that Canada positively recognises China’s great achievements in development, particularly in poverty reduction.

According to him, Canada-China relations are at a crossroads at the moment, and Canada is prepared to treat China with honesty and respect, as well as take a forward-thinking approach, in order to get bilateral relationships back on track and establish a more resilient bilateral partnership.

Canada values China’s efforts to the global anti-pandemic struggle and is eager to expand collaboration with China on climate change, environmental protection, and COVID-19, he noted.

The two sides also discussed the Ukraine crisis.

Wang said China calls on all parties to consider calmly and rationally, create possibilities for peace, and open up discussion prospects, citing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s comprehensive and authoritative exposition of China’s views on the subject.

The discussions are now experiencing hurdles and challenges, but as long as they continue, there is a chance for a cease-fire, and therefore a chance for peace, according to Wang, who also stated that China would continue to play a constructive role in this regard in an objective and just manner.

According to Joly, the Canadian side is prepared to retain contact with the Chinese side.

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