On the morning of January 16, President Xi Jinping met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi pointed out that his meeting with Prime Minister Carney in Gyeongju, ROK, last October marked a turnaround of the relationship, and placed it on a new trajectory of positive development. The two sides have had in-depth discussions on resuming and restarting cooperation across various fields, and achieved positive outcomes. The sound and steady growth of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of the two countries and contributes to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the world. With a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, the two sides should advance the China-Canada new Strategic Partnership, steer their ties onto the track of sound, steady and sustainable development, and bring more benefits to both peoples.

President Xi made four points. First, the two countries should be partners that respect each other. Since diplomatic ties began 55 years ago, the relationship has weathered storms and gone through ups and downs. History offers valuable lessons and inspiration for the present. While China and Canada have different national circumstances, they should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as choice of political system and development path, and adopt the right approach in their interactions. Second, the two countries should be partners that pursue shared development. The China-Canada economic and trade relations are characterized by mutual benefit and win-win, and both sides stand to gain from cooperation. China’s pursuit of high-quality development at home and high-standard opening up to the world will continually unlock new opportunities and space for China-Canada cooperation. The two sides should lengthen the list of cooperation while shortening the list of irritants, and keep strengthening the bond of common interests with more deep-going and extensive cooperation. Third, the two countries should be partners that trust each other. People-to-people understanding is the most foundational, solid and enduring way for countries to build connections. China and Canada should encourage stronger exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and sports and at subnational levels, and facilitate two-way travel to entrench public support for strong ties. Fourth, the two countries should be partners that collaborate with each other. A divided world cannot handle the common challenges facing humanity. The true solution lies in upholding and practicing true multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for humanity. China is prepared to strengthen communication and coordination with Canada in the U.N., G20, APEC, etc. to tackle various global challenges.

Prime Minister Carney noted that with a long history of friendly engagement and strong economic complementarity, Canada and China enjoy extensive common interests and opportunities. Canada wishes to build with China a new Strategic Partnership that is strong and enduring so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples. Under the leadership of President Xi, China has seen rapid economic growth and made significant progress in innovation, which provide strong impetus for global growth. The Canadian side reaffirms the one-China policy. It is committed to working with China in the spirit of mutual respect and partnership to expand and strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture, finance, education, climate change, etc. Multilateralism underpins global security and stability, and the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi is important. Facing a fast-changing and turbulent world, Canada would like to intensify multilateral coordination with China to uphold multilateralism and the authority of the U.N. and to promote international peace and stability.

After the meeting, the two sides issued the Joint Statement of the China-Canada Leaders’ Meeting.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.