China and Canada have agreed to work to “reset relations” in a phone call between Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday.
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After years of “unnecessary disruption” and “serious difficulties” in the relationship, China would now like to see it developing in a “healthy and stable” way, Li said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
Both leaders acknowledged the importance of engagement and agreed to regularise channels of communication, according to the Canadians.
The Chinese statement added: “Canada is willing to reset Canada-China relations and looks forward to resuming high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms in the fields of diplomacy, economy and trade with China.”
It said Carney had also “expressed his willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with China” and “contribute to promoting global sustainable development”.
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It was the two sides’ first discussion since Carney took office in March and comes after both have repeatedly clashed with the United States.