China-Canada relations have met serious difficulties, and the Canadian side is solely responsible for this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Thursday, urging Canada to reflect upon its mistakes and take concrete measures to put bilateral relations back on the track.

Geng made the remarks after China accepted the appointment of Dominic Barton as Canada's next ambassador to China. Barton, an economic adviser who used to work in Shanghai, vowed to work hard and to "resolve the challenges that currently exist" according to his statement.

China hopes the new ambassador would play an active role in pushing forward the bilateral relations back to the track, Geng noted.

Canada knows what is the crux of the problem, said Geng, urging the Canada side to treat China's solemn position and concerns seriously and immediately release Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei.

According to Geng, China will name Cong Peiwu as the next ambassador to Canada. He will also perform his duty to promote China's relations with Canada.

(Cover: Dominic Barton, Canada's newly appointed ambassador to China, speaks during the The International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) Toronto Global Forum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 4, 2019. /VCG Photo)