Wang Yi urges efforts to put China-Canada relations back on track

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called for efforts to put China-Canada relations back on the track of healthy and stable development during a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in Munich.

It is in the fundamental interests of both countries to stabilize China-Canada relations for further improvement and development, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

China and Canada are "neither opponents nor enemies, and should be cooperative partners," he said.

Wang clarified the Chinese side's position on promoting bilateral relations to return to a healthy and stable track during the meeting.

He called on Canada to have a correct perception of China, see bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, and build positive expectations for practical cooperation between the two sides.

Canada should stop hyping the "China threat" theory, spreading disinformation claiming "Chinese interference into Canadian affairs," or overstretching the concept of national security on economic, trade and technological exchanges, he said.

Wang urged Canada to respect China's core interests and take real actions to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Joly said Canada follows a pragmatic diplomacy and is committed to improving Canada-China relations.

Canada is ready to work with China to overcome difficulties, build trust, cooperate in climate change, biodiversity and public health, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, she said.

Canada will continue to pursue the one-China policy, she added.