On July 17, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, H. E. WANG Di Published a byline article China-Canada Relations Have Delivered Real Benefits to Our Two Peoples on the Hill Times. Here is the full text:

It has been nearly two months since my arrival in Canada on May 24. I was welcomed not only by a pleasant warm summer of Ottawa, but also the enthusiasm of Canadian friends from different communities and their eager aspirations for China-Canada relations. I am greatly encouraged and have gained more confidence about the future of China-Canada relations.  

My confidence stems from the traditional friendship between China and Canada. As early as the 19th century, over ten thousand Chinese construction workers traveled to Canada to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway, starting the friendly exchanges between our two peoples. In early 1960s, despite the Western embargo against China, Canada exported wheat to China, a most needed helping hand for China at that time. In 1970, our two countries officially established diplomatic relations. In September 2005, both sides agreed to upgrade our relations to strategic partnership. With our joint efforts, China-Canada relations have come a long way and delivered real benefits to the people of both countries.

My confidence stems from our two countries’ high complementarities that meet development need of both sides. China has been Canada’s second biggest trading partner for many years and was the only major export market of Canada that registered positive growth in 2023. Canadian brands such as Lululemon, Canada Goose, and Arc’teryx are highly popular in China. The wonder of Canadian prairies and mysterious aurora hold gravitational attraction for Chinese tourists. In the meantime, Canadian friends are also welcome to visit China where you will have a best “city walk” that brings ancient and modern elements together and presents the development of China in front of your eyes.

My confidence stems from our similar philosophies for tackling common challenges. On June 26 when I presented my Letter of Credence to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Governor General Mary Simon, she highlighted that in the face of an intricate and turbulent world landscape, all countries’ future is intertwined, so we must build bridges of dialogue, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and join hands to meet global challenges such as climate change. This strongly echoes with the vision proposed by President Xi Jinping of building a community with a shared future for mankind. It fully shows that China and Canada share the same understanding when it comes to tackle global challenges. In 2022, China and Canada successfully held the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) together, which culminated in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a shining example of China-Canada cooperation. Past progress has shown that China-Canada cooperation not only benefits the two countries, but also the whole world by bringing more certainty and positive energy.

Over 50 years ago, it was with enormous political courage and great vision that the statesmen of our two countries established diplomatic ties between our two countries which greatly benefited our people. Now, China-Canada relations have come to a crucial moment again. We must step up to our historical responsibilities, live up to the expectations of our two peoples, and pass on to our children and grandchildren 50 years later a China-Canada relationship beamed with vitality.

Let us draw strength and wisdom from history and uphold the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation, to jointly promote healthy and stable development of China-Canada strategic partnership at all times.