Beijing, 6 April 2022 (TDI): The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi held a phone conversation with the Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly.
The telephonic dialogue was conducted at the latter’s request. During their discussion, Wang Yi stated that the people of China and Canada enjoy long-term convivial exchanges.
He noted that Canada was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. Nevertheless, of late, China-Canada ties have suffered a profound setback due to the Meng Wanzhou case.
Minister Joly speaks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi
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— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) April 5, 2022
The Chinese Foreign Minister underscored that China doesn’t want that. About the case, he stated that the essence lies in the US suppression of Chinese high-tech enterprises by force, a disgraceful demeanor that evidently everyone sees.
He went further to articulate that no country should serve as a facilitator of such unilateral bullying. Likewise, all countries have the right to make necessary responses.
China always views and manages China-Canada relations from a strategic and long-term viewpoint and the present status of bilateral ties is not in the interests of both countries.
He urged Canada to face up to the issues and collaborate with China. Along these lines, Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward three proposals.
- Canada should regard China positively and objectively with a persistent and practical China policy.
China’s political system and development course are the Chinese people’s own preferences, having inevitable historical logic that is in line with China’s national requirements and the needs of the Chinese people.
The development and progress of China are not only the legitimate right of its 1.4 billion people but also an essential component of the modernization of all humanity.
- Secondly, China & Canada must respect each other’s core interests and should not construct further impediments to the expansion of bilateral ties.
About the one-China, Wang Yi reiterated that it was the political foundation of China-Canada relations. However, he warned that relations will fundamentally deteriorate if the Taiwan question was not addressed adequately.
In this context, China hopes Canada will embrace a proper perspective on matters regarding China’s core interests.
- Canada must maintain its independence and eradicate unneeded external interference. China hopes Canada will work with China to eliminate outward intervention, along with overcoming difficulties, and realizing sustainable development of bilateral ties.
The two counterparts also discussed the Ukraine issue. The Chinese Foreign Minister shared that Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a thorough and definitive elaboration about China’s stance on the issue.
China calls on all stakeholders to think calmly and rationally, produce opportunities for peace, and open up possibilities for negotiations.
Meng Wanzhou Case
Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s board Deputy Chair was detained at Vancouver International Airport by Canada Border Services Agency officers for questioning, upon arrival on 1 December 2018.
The questioning lasted three hours. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police thereafter arrested her on a provisional US extradition submission for fraud and conspiracy to perpetrate fraud for circumventing US sanctions against Iran.
The US Department of Justice formally proclaimed financial fraud indictments against Meng on January 28, 2019. Meng eventually left Canada for China on 24 September 2021.
