Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, as part of his first official visit to China.
The leaders focused on renewing the relationship between Canada and China in the face of a changing global economy and international security challenges.
Prime Minister Carney and President Xi jointly announced a new Canada-China strategic partnership, comprised of five pillars: energy, economic and trade cooperation, public safety and security, multilateralism, and culture and people-to-people ties. The leaders agreed that these are areas where Canada and China can work together constructively to create more stability, security, and prosperity for their peoples. In particular, they acknowledged the strategic opportunities in energy – both conventional and clean – to drive the low-carbon economy, increase energy security, and create high-paying careers.
To this end, the leaders welcomed a series of memorandums of understanding across energy, combatting crime, modern wood construction, culture, and food safety and plant and animal health that provide the foundation for the new strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Carney highlighted the importance of reinforcing economic resilience between the two countries, including through revitalised bilateral mechanisms such as the Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue and the Ministerial Dialogue on Energy, which will reinforce trade and economic relations.
The leaders also welcomed the significant progress made on resolving trade irritants and market access challenges, including for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products such as canola and seafood, and Chinese electric vehicles.
The Prime Minister and the President affirmed their commitment to multilateralism and to addressing pressing global issues, such as environmental protection and climate change, and the international monetary and financial system.
Both leaders recognised how long-standing people-to-people ties have been foundational to the depth and breadth of Canada-China relations. Prime Minister Carney acknowledged the contribution of those deep roots to Canada’s multicultural fabric and welcomed enhanced cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism, and education.
Prime Minister Carney welcomed plans to deepen engagement on national security issues at senior levels, highlighting opportunities to work together on security issues of mutual concern, including narcotics trafficking and cybercrime.
Prime Minister Carney looks forward to his return visit to China in November for the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Shenzhen.
The leaders agreed to remain in close contact.