Despite Conflict, Path to Canada-China Dialogue Opens

The Canadian ambassador raised the issue of foreign interference in the country's internal affairs with several senior officials in the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Canada's ambassador to China asserted that Ottawa and Beijing are not rivals. (Source: AFP)

On June 17, Canadian Ambassador to China Jennifer May declared that Ottawa and Beijing are not rivals, despite a series of tensions in bilateral relations and accusations of foreign interference in recent times.

CTV News quoted Ambassador May as saying that Canada and China have a complex, multifaceted and very important relationship, but both sides need to focus on common goals such as climate change and the environment, trade and investment.

Mrs. May raised the issue of foreign interference in Canada's internal affairs with several senior officials in the Chinese Foreign Ministry .

China's expulsion of Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde in Shanghai - a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei - is regrettable, but things could get worse, a Canadian diplomat said.

Assessing that the path for dialogue between Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang is open, Ambassador May did not say whether there are plans to organize a high-level visit by Ottawa to China.

Relations between China and the United States - Canada's closest ally - are also strained, over the Taiwan issue.

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