Premier Li Highlights Opportunities in China-Canada Relations Amidst Growing Cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized on Friday that the evolving relationship between China and Canada stands as an opportunity rather than a threat to both nations. In a phone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Li underscored the absence of fundamental conflicts of interest and highlighted a longstanding tradition of friendship and mutual benefit shared by the two countries.

Premier Li recalled that Canada was among the first Western nations to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, positioning the bilateral relationship at the forefront of China's engagement with the West for many years. However, he acknowledged that recent years have witnessed serious challenges due to what he described as unnecessary disruptions in the bilateral ties.

Expressing optimism for the future, Li called for greater cooperation and mutual understanding, urging Canada to approach China's development objectively and to work in tandem to foster prosperity and mutual success. “China is willing to work with Canada, in the spirit of looking to the future, to promote the steady improvement of bilateral relations,” Li stated, advocating for relations to return to a track of sound and stable development characterized by win-win cooperation.

Li further pointed to the enormous potential for collaboration between the two economies, noting their high degree of complementarity. He encouraged both sides to build upon existing partnerships in traditional sectors and to expand into emerging areas such as clean energy, climate change, scientific and technological innovation, while deepening people-to-people connections and boosting economic and trade exchanges.

Highlighting the importance of responsive governance, Li called on both governments to listen to their citizens, address public concerns, and actively seek to enhance friendly cooperation. He also emphasized the need for continuing dialogue and exchange, expressing China's willingness to engage with Canada on the basis of equality and mutual respect, seeking common ground while managing differences in a constructive manner.

Addressing wider global challenges, Premier Li noted that the current international climate is marked by turmoil, rising unilateralism, and protectionist tendencies. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to partner with Canada to uphold multilateralism and the principles of free trade, supporting the healthy development of economic globalization and a resilient multilateral trading system, thereby contributing stability to international peace and progress.

Prime Minister Carney, for his part, referenced the “profound traditional friendship” between the two countries and acknowledged China’s status as Canada’s second-largest trading partner. While he recognized that bilateral relations have encountered setbacks in recent years, Carney signaled Canada’s willingness to rekindle and advance its partnership with China.

Looking ahead, Carney expressed the Canadian government’s expectation to resume high-level exchanges and dialogue in key sectors, including diplomacy, economic affairs, trade, agriculture, energy, and environmental protection. He also expressed Canada’s commitment to increased communication and coordination with China in addressing global issues, stressing the shared aim of safeguarding the international financial and trading system and promoting global sustainable development.