Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in a phone conversation on Tuesday that the relations between the two countries have suffered a “serious setback” due to the Meng Wanzhou case.
The essence of this case lies in the U.S. suppression of Chinese high-tech enterprises, Wang said, adding that no country should act as a facilitator of such unilateral bullying and all countries have the right to make necessary responses.
Wang also retraced long-term friendly exchanges the peoples of China and Canada enjoyed, noting that Canada is one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Noting that China always views and handles its relations with Canada from a strategic and long-term perspective, Wang said the current state of bilateral relations is not in the interests of both countries. He called on Canada to face up to the problems and cooperate with China. In this regard, he proposed three points.
Firstly, Canada should view China positively and objectively with a steady and pragmatic China policy.
China’s political system and development path are the Chinese people’s own choices, which have inevitable historical logic and are in line with China’s national conditions and its people’s needs, said Wang.
China’s development and progress are not only the legitimate right of its 1.4 billion people, but also an important part of the modernization of all mankind, he said.
China and Canada have no historical disputes or real conflict of interest. China hopes that Canada, in line with the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results, will do more to enhance mutual trust and promote bilateral relations, Wang said.
Secondly, the two countries should respect each other’s core interests and not create new obstacles to the development of bilateral relations.
The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Canada relations, Wang said, adding that if the Taiwan question is not handled properly, China-Canada relations will suffer fundamental damage.
China hopes Canada will adopt a correct attitude and position on issues concerning China’s core interests, he said.
Thirdly, Canada should uphold its independence and eliminate unnecessary external interference.
Noting that the previous generation of leaders of the two countries broke through resistance and made a decision to establish diplomatic ties, Wang said there are many good stories and traditions in China-Canada exchanges that should be cherished and carried forward.
China hopes Canada will work with China to eliminate external interference, overcome difficulties and realize sound, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations, he said.
Joly said Canada is one of the first countries to recognize the PRC, and Canada-China relations enjoy a solid foundation, adding that Canada respects China’s sovereignty, system and the choices made independently by the Chinese people, and positively recognizes China’s great achievements in development, especially in reducing poverty.
Canada-China relations during this period of time, he said, are at a difficult stage, and Canada is willing to treat China with sincerity and respect and take a forward-looking approach so as to push bilateral ties back on track and build a more resilient bilateral relationship.
Canada appreciates China’s important contributions to the global anti-pandemic fight, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on climate change, environmental protection and the fight against COVID-19, he added.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue.
Noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has comprehensively expounded on China’s position and propositions on the issue, Wang said China calls on all parties to think calmly and with rationality, create opportunities for peace and open up prospects for negotiations.
The negotiations are now facing setbacks and difficulties, but as long as the talks persist, there will be a possible cease-fire, hence a hope of peace, said Wang, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role to this end in an objective and just manner.
Joly said the Canadian side is ready to maintain communication with the Chinese side.
