Key Points
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met for the second time in less than three months.
- The meeting is a sign of a rapid warming of relations between the two countries.
- The two leaders are working to advance a “new strategic partnership.” Canada reaffirmed its adherence to the “one-China policy.”
- The two countries signed multiple cooperation agreements during Carney’s visit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met for the second time in less than three months on Friday, a clear sign that relations between the two countries are rapidly warming. The meeting, which took place during Carney’s official visit to China, was focused on charting a new course for bilateral ties and advancing what both leaders are calling a “new strategic partnership.”
Relations between China and Canada had been frosty for years, but a meeting between the two leaders last October marked a major turning point. Since then, the two sides have been working to restart cooperation in several areas.
During their latest meeting, Xi told Carney that a “healthy and stable” relationship is in the common interest of both countries and is good for world peace and prosperity. He called on both sides to be “partners of mutual respect, common development, mutual trust and collaboration.”
For his part, Carney reaffirmed Canada’s adherence to the “one-China policy” and said his country is committed to expanding cooperation in areas like trade, energy, agriculture, and climate change. He also praised Xi’s “Global Governance Initiative” and said Canada wants to work with China to uphold multilateralism and the authority of the United Nations.
Carney’s visit, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, has already produced several concrete results. The two countries issued a joint statement and signed multiple cooperation agreements covering trade, energy, culture, and public security.
Analysts see this rapid thaw in relations as a pragmatic and rational move by Canada’s new leadership, one that will benefit the people of both countries.
