What's happened
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the APEC summit, signaling a potential thaw in relations after years of tension. Both leaders discussed trade, energy, and cooperation, with Carney accepting an invitation to visit China. The meeting marks a shift towards pragmatic engagement amid ongoing disputes and tariffs.
What's behind the headline?
The recent meetings between Xi Jinping and Mark Carney suggest a strategic recalibration by both nations. While the language of recovery and cooperation is promising, the underlying issues—such as trade tariffs, security concerns, and political tensions—remain unresolved. The leaders' emphasis on pragmatic cooperation indicates a desire to avoid further escalation, but the history of mistrust and recent sanctions suggest that substantive progress will be slow. The invitation for Carney to visit China signals a willingness to explore economic opportunities, yet the ongoing US influence and tariffs complicate the landscape. This shift could lead to a cautious thaw, but the relationship will likely remain fragile, with both sides wary of deeper commitments until trust is rebuilt.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, AP News, and The Independent all highlight the cautious tone of the recent diplomatic engagement. Al Jazeera emphasizes the 'turning point' and the need for caution given China's security actions. The South China Morning Post notes the mutual efforts to expand cooperation and the importance of viewing each other correctly. AP News and The Independent focus on the historical context of tensions, including the 2018 Huawei arrest and tariffs, and the potential for a pragmatic approach moving forward. While all sources agree on the significance of the meeting, they differ slightly in tone—some emphasizing optimism, others caution—reflecting the complex, multifaceted nature of Canada-China relations.
How we got here
Relations between Canada and China deteriorated sharply after the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada, leading to retaliatory actions including arrests of Canadian citizens and tariffs. Recent years saw limited progress, with tensions over trade tariffs, espionage allegations, and political disputes. The recent meeting at APEC indicates a possible effort to re-engage and address unresolved issues.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Mark Joseph Carney OC is an economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013 and the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
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Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese multinational technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It designs, develops, and sells telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics.
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Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Michael Kovrig is a Canadian former diplomat who worked for the International Crisis Group, a transnational, pro-peace think tank.
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Michael Peter Todd Spavor is a Canadian consultant who has worked extensively in North Korea. He is director of Paektu Cultural Exchange, an organization that promotes investment and tourism in North Korea.
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Meng Wanzhou is a Chinese business executive with permanent residency in Canada, who is the deputy chair of the board and chief financial officer of telecom giant and China's largest privately held company, Huawei, founded by her father Ren Zhengfei.