China and Canada are showing a readiness to mend mutual ties as both nations tackle strained relations with the US, marking a shift by Ottawa that analysts have described as “pragmatic”.
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Beijing was willing to restart dialogue and exchanges “at all levels” and rebuild trust with Ottawa, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said as he met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand during her two-day trip to China.
Friday’s meeting in Beijing came just over a week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited US President Donald Trump in Washington, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage strained relations amid escalating trade tensions.
“China is willing to work with Canada to … restart dialogue and exchanges at all levels, advance the settlement of each other’s legitimate concerns … and bring China-Canada relations onto the track of sound, stable and sustainable development at an early date,” Wang said.
He added that Beijing was willing to rebuild trust and advance the process of improving bilateral relations “in the spirit of looking forward”.
The two countries shared broad space for cooperation and could “fully become partners”, Wang continued, calling Anand’s visit a “fresh start” for their ties.
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