Politics China and Canada move closer together
After years of ice age, China and Canada are seeking to readjust their relations amid growing tensions with the USA.
16.01.2026, 09:04
SDA
Canada is ready to build a strong and sustainable new strategic partnership with China in order to bring greater prosperity to the people of both countries, said Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney at a meeting with state and party leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. The aim is to expand and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, agriculture, finance, education and climate change.
New start to cooperation
Xi explained that the two leaders had already met in October last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, thereby initiating a new phase of stabilizing and improving relations. Since then, both sides have held intensive discussions on resuming and restarting cooperation. A healthy and stable development of relations is in line with the common interests of both countries.
Carney's visit is the first by a Canadian head of government to China in eight years. Relations were previously characterized by tensions. The arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the instigation of the USA triggered a deep crisis in 2018. Beijing responded by imprisoning two Canadians.
Trump exerts pressure
Since Donald Trump took office again, Canada has come under pressure from the USA. The US President has involved not only China but also its neighbor Canada in trade disputes. Observers see this as a background to the rapprochement between Beijing and Ottawa.
"In an increasingly divided and uncertain world, we are focused on renewing this relationship and working towards a stronger future together," Carney wrote on Platform X after his arrival in China on Thursday.
