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China's foreign minister visits Canada for first time in ten years as Carney government deepens trade ties
China's foreign minister Wang Yi visited Ottawa for the first time in a decade as the Canadian government aims to increase exports to China by fifty per cent by 2030 while safeguarding national security interests.
China's foreign minister Wang Yi visited Canada for the first time in a decade in a significant diplomatic development that signals deepening ties between Ottawa and Beijing. The visit comes as the Carney government pursues a strategy of diversifying trade away from the United States.
Canada's foreign minister declared the government is committed to growing the relationship responsibly with a goal of increasing exports to China by fifty per cent by 2030 while safeguarding economic and national security interests. The meeting followed Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January.
The diplomatic thaw has already produced concrete results. China dropped tariffs on some Canadian agricultural products and Canada allowed thousands of Chinese-made vehicles into its domestic market. Speaking in New York, the Prime Minister defended the engagement policy, noting that China is a player in virtually every major global issue.
Canada's opposition leader urged caution, describing China as a dictatorship and warning that closer ties must come with open eyes. Former US national security adviser Jake Sullivan echoed concerns, warning Canada against becoming dangerously dependent on China in certain industrial areas at the cost of long-term innovation.
Speaking in Mandarin, the Chinese foreign minister acknowledged there have been twists and turns in the bilateral relationship but said things are turning around. The visit represents the most significant diplomatic exchange between the two countries since relations deteriorated several years ago.