China Canada Photo: VCG

The root reason behind the decline in China-Canada relations in recent years is the serious deviation of Canada's perception of China. It is hoped that Canada can objectively, rationally, and correctly interpret China's domestic and foreign policies, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday in a phone call with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, at the latter's request.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that both countries are with important influence in the Asia-Pacific region. China and Canada have neither historical disputes nor realistic conflicts of interests, and share many common interests and enjoy complementary advantages, said Wang.

The current challenging situation between China and Canada relations is not what China hopes to see, nor is it caused by China, while China is open to maintain contact and dialogue with Canada, Wang said.

China neither exports ideology nor challenges the international order, but has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. China must firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests and will never allow the Chinese people to be deprived of their legitimate rights to development, Wang said.

The differences in social systems and ideologies between China and Canada stem from their respective histories, cultures, national conditions and the choices made by their people. The two countries should respect each other, engage in dialogue on an equal footing, increase trust, dispel misgivings and strengthen communication responsibly and constructively, so as not to let differences dominate bilateral relations, Wang noted.

Canada should earnestly implement its commitment to the one-China policy, preserve the political foundation of China-Canada relations, and not send any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Wang said.

China will continue to expand high-level opening-up. As promoters and beneficiaries of free trade, both China and Canada should jointly resist the politicization and use of pan-security on economic issues, while creating a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for business development, Wang noted.

Healthy and stable Canada-China relations serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, Joly said. Despite the difficulties in bilateral relations, Canada is willing to bring bilateral relations back onto the right track with a more open, practical and constructive attitude, Joly said.

Canada is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with China, promoting personnel exchanges, deepening economic and trade cooperation, and maintaining close coordination and cooperation on environmental protection, biodiversity and international and regional issues, according to Joly. 

Global Times