China calls on Canada to try to overcome difficulties after years of friction

BEIJING, Apr.6 (EFE) .- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Canada to try to overcome the difficulties their relations face as a result of the case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in December 2018 in Ottawa. Washington’s request and finally released in September last year.

“Relations between China and Canada have plummeted in recent years following the Meng case. The United States has used its coercive power to suppress Chinese companies, which is utterly disgraceful. And, at the same time, anyone who suffers from it has every right to defend himself, “Wang said in a telephone conversation with his counterpart Melanie Jolie last night.

Meng was released after Canadian officials reached an agreement with the Americans, accusing the Chinese company of violating sanctions on Iran.

The return of the daughter of Huawei’s founder was celebrated in China as a successful event, the same year that two Canadians detained in China, Michael Spover and Michael Gowrik, and two Canadians arrested by Beijing in open retaliation for Beijing were quietly released.

“But the truth is that no one is interested in the current ‘state’ of bilateral relations. Canada must confront the issue and meet with China somewhere in the middle,” Wang said during the call, according to a text collected by the Chinese. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the diplomat, Canada should treat China “positively and objectively,” be “practical” in its policies for Beijing, “be independent” and “exclude unnecessary external interference” – implicit reference to the United States – as recently demanded by European leaders.

Wang also said the two countries should “avoid placing new sanctions” on the table, noting an island that Taiwan, especially China, claims: “If the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, Sino-Canadian relations could suffer deep damage.”

According to a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jolly acknowledged that bilateral relations were “at a critical juncture”, but that the Canadian side was ready to treat China “with mutual respect” and gradually “bring relations back on track”.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Wang Yi reiterated China’s ambiguous position, calling for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries and refraining from using the term “invasion” to refer to Russian aggression. Its opposition to sanctions against Moscow.

Wang stressed China’s position on promoting dialogue and peace talks. EFE

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