Chinese President Xi Jinping extended an invitation to Prime Minister Mark Carney for a visit to China during their meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. This invitation signifies a positive shift in the relations between the two nations.
Accepting the invitation, Carney expressed eagerness for the visit, which would mark the first official trip by a Canadian prime minister to China since Justin Trudeau’s attempt to initiate trade discussions in 2017. Carney emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in addressing current issues and exploring opportunities for cooperation between the two countries to foster a more sustainable and inclusive international system.
The meeting between Xi and Carney comes amid a change in Ottawa’s stance towards China, transitioning from viewing China as a disruptive global force to recognizing it as a strategic partner in a volatile global environment. Pressure has been mounting on Carney to lift the 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, with Beijing linking this action to the removal of retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.
China has encouraged Canada to focus on shared objectives, moving away from the previous emphasis on concerns related to foreign interference and the detention of two Canadians in 2018. The meeting underscores the evolving dynamics in the relationship between the two countries towards a more cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership.
