Advancing the resolution of respective concerns and recalibrating bilateral relations, the China Canada Foreign Ministers' Meeting emphasizes rebuilding mutual trust

At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Foreign Minister Anand visited China from October 16th to 17th. On the eve of his arrival, Anand stated in a media interview that Canada China relations are "complex" and involve a wide range of fields. The Canadian Global Post reported that the two countries are currently experiencing a "painful" trade conflict, and the foreign minister's visit to China is part of Canada's efforts to repair relations with China.

On the 17th, Wang Yi held talks with Anand in Beijing. Wang Yi stated that the development of China Canada relations has shown that although the two countries have different systems and paths, they always have broad common interests and broad cooperation space, and can fully become partners for each other's achievements and common development on the basis of mutual respect. China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance understanding, eliminate interference, rebuild mutual trust with Canada, and promote the process of improving bilateral relations in a forward-looking spirit. We hope that Canada will abide by the One China principle and maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Wang Yi said that China is willing to work with Canada, under the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, to restart dialogue and exchanges at all levels, promote the resolution of each other's reasonable concerns, explore and explore cooperation in various fields, expand cultural exchanges, strengthen communication and cooperation in multilateral affairs, jointly defend multilateralism, jointly maintain the international economic and trade order, and promote China Canada relations to enter a healthy, stable, and sustainable development track as soon as possible, taking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership as an opportunity.

Anand stated during the meeting that Prime Minister Carney attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is committed to recalibrating the Canada China relationship.

Anand's visit to China this time is part of his plan to visit India, Singapore, and China in Asia, with China being his last stop. Before flying from Singapore to China, she told Singapore's Asia News Channel that Canada is seeking to cooperate with China in feasible areas, "challenge" China in necessary areas, and always maintain open channels of dialogue with China.

Since Canada imposed high tariffs on electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products imported from China in October last year, trade relations between the two countries have been tense. China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imported rapeseed from Canada and implemented temporary anti-dumping measures in August this year, imposing a 75.8% deposit on Canadian companies.

Canada is facing pressure from the industry domestically. The Globe and Mail reported that Manitoba Governor Keanu recently wrote a letter to Prime Minister Carney, requesting the federal government to lift tariffs on electric vehicles from China, as China's countermeasures have already caused a drop in Canadian rapeseed prices.

Bloomberg reported that during former Prime Minister Trudeau's tenure, Canada followed the US government in imposing 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products. The Carney administration maintained this policy after taking office. However, a survey conducted by Nano Research for Bloomberg shows that public opinion on electric vehicle tariffs is changing, with less than half of Canadians currently supporting the tariffs, down from 63% last year.

Anand's visit to China this time is aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two sides, but her task is arduous and extremely delicate. Bloomberg commented that at present, the trade negotiations between Canada and the US government are precarious, and any measures taken to ease tensions with China need to be cautious to avoid retaliation from the US.

Since the beginning of this year, the Carney government has repeatedly hinted at improving relations with China. The Globe and Mail reported that the Carney government has held a series of high-level meetings with China. The two prime ministers met in New York in September this year. According to the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, Carney stated on the 16th that as part of his broader engagement with Beijing, he expects to meet with senior Chinese leaders in the "next month or so".

Liu Dan, a researcher at the Canadian Studies Center of the Institute of Regional Studies at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, told Global Times reporters on the 17th that Anand's visit to China is an important "window of opportunity" for bilateral relations after experiencing setbacks, and also continues the tone of various exploratory contacts and improvements in China Canada relations since the beginning of this year.

If Canada wants to substantially repair its relations with China, it must demonstrate clear and coherent sincerity on key issues, including canceling unilateral tariffs, stopping the generalization of national security concepts, respecting China's core interests, and actively expanding pragmatic cooperation with China in climate and energy, "Liu Dan said." However, the structural contradictions in Canada's domestic politics and diplomacy will continue to pose certain challenges to this process