Seoul (FazTimes Media), 31 Oct: China and Canada have had a lot of disagreements and fights over the years, but they have taken a big step toward rebuilding trust. The event took place after a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Asia-Pacific Economic Summit in South Korea on Friday.

President Xi said in a statement released by Chinese state media, "We are willing to work with Canada to use this meeting as an opportunity to bring relations back to a healthy, stable, and sustainable path."

Carney, who became prime minister in March, also sounded positive. He told reporters he was pleased with the results of the talks, saying they created new chances for Canadian businesses, workers, and families.

According to a Canadian statement, Carney accepted an invitation from Xi to visit Beijing, although the exact date remains undetermined.

The meeting's friendly tone shows a big change from the cold and tense relationship between Canada and China in recent times. Things started to get worse in late 2018 when Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei, at the request of the U.S.

China then detained two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on charges of spying. The two men were held for almost three years before being released in 2021, the same time Meng returned to China after settling a legal case with the U.S. Although the so-called "two Michaels affair" ended, the political damage remained.

Trade Disputes Make Things Worse

China responded quickly by putting high taxes on Canadian canola, seafood, and pork, which are important for Canada's economy. During their meeting on Friday, both leaders told their teams to “act fast to fix trade problems” and find solutions for specific products like electric vehicles and canola.

Xi Jinping said that “real cooperation” should be the main goal, suggesting more work together in trade, investments, and energy—areas where both countries have common interests even though they have different political views.

Carney’s Economic Strategy

Prime Minister Carney, who used to work in finance, has been clear about the need to spread out Canada’s trade partners and not depend too much on the United States. At a business event earlier this week, he acknowledged that the “time of free, rules-based trade” is ending and said Canada wants to double its exports to countries other than the U.S. in the next ten years.

This push for diversification has become even more important because of threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he would add another 10% tax on Canadian goods if he is elected again.

Experts are advising caution.

Although the meeting was seen as a positive step, analysts are warning that Canada should be careful.

Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said, “The meeting shows a shift in attitude and a readiness to communicate at a top level. But this isn’t a comeback to the old partnership. There’s no sign that China’s actions or goals have changed much.”

She pointed out that Prime Minister Carney should stay watchful about Beijing’s interests, especially in areas like cybersecurity, foreign influence, and Arctic issues, where China is trying to be more involved.

Nadjibulla also mentioned that Canada’s reliance on both the U.S. and China has made it weak. She added that diversifying shouldn’t mean becoming dependent on another country.

This warning is part of a growing concern among Canadian officials. Although economic cooperation with China holds significance, they maintain that disregarding national security and values is not a viable option.

Why the Meeting Matters

For Canada, talking more with China could give it access to one of the biggest markets in the world and reduce pressure from trade issues with the U.S.

Still, the Canadian government has made it clear that trust isn’t being rebuilt just to ignore differences. Ottawa has previously accused Beijing of meddling in domestic politics, cyberattacks, and trying to influence Canadian institutions—issues that still affect the relationship.

A Delicate Diplomatic Reset

People watching the situation say that the new talks between Carney and Xi might help start a slow process of improving relations between the two countries. This could happen through things like working groups, trade visits, and working together on climate issues. Both countries have a lot to gain from working together on clean energy, protecting the environment, and helping other countries grow, even when there are other problems between them.

Dr. Andrew Foster, a political analyst from the University of Toronto, said, “The meeting opens up a path, but it doesn’t change the past.” He added, “Carney’s job is to find a balance—working with China economically while also protecting Canada’s democratic values and national security.”

A New Chapter or Temporary Truce?

It’s still unclear if this meeting is the start of a real improvement or just a short-term move. One thing is certain: both countries can benefit from reducing tensions. China needs stability to help its economy grow, especially with the world being critical of it. Canada needs access to markets and stable trade, especially as it deals with new tariffs from the U.S.

Carney himself referred to the meeting as a "turning point," emphasizing the importance of handling it with care, patience, and strategic planning.

He said after the meeting, “This isn’t about going back to old ways. It’s about creating new opportunities for Canadians, talking about our differences clearly, and building a relationship that fits the world today.”

Right now, both governments seem ready to take that first small step—a rare sign of hope in a world that’s becoming more divided.

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Reference: Al Jazeera

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