BEIJING –
China does not want a continuation of the “current difficult situation” in relations with Canada, the Chinese foreign minister told his Canadian counterpart in a phone call, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Thursday.
Relations between the two countries have been strained for most of 2023, highlighted by allegations from Canada that China interfered in its elections. China has repeatedly denied any interference.
“The main reason that China-Canada relations have fallen to a low point in recent years is that there has been a serious divergence in Canada’s perception of China,” Wang Yi said in the phone call with Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister .
China also expelled a Canadian diplomat after Ottawa told a Toronto-based Chinese diplomat to leave, escalating strained relations.
China’s foreign ministry said a Canadian military plane intercepted in October violated China’s sovereignty and national security, prompting the country to file a complaint with Canada.
“China is open to contacts and discussions,” Wang said during the call, according to the statement. “Both sides should respect each other, have a dialogue on equal terms, strengthen trust and dispel doubts.”
Wang also told Joly that China hopes the Canadian side will “interpret China’s domestic and foreign policies objectively, rationally and correctly.”
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