Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has called for stable relations with China during her visit to Beijing, as both countries strive to overcome past disputes.
Joly's visit, which began on Thursday and ends on Saturday, is her first trip to China since she became Canada's foreign minister in 2021.
During her stay, she met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a meeting described as constructive and productive.
Joly emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to China and for developing strong and stable bilateral relations that serve and protect Canadian interests.
The Canadian government has stressed the importance of improving ties with China after a period of strained relations.
The tension between the two countries began in 2018 when Canadian authorities arrested a senior executive from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, leading to China's detention of two Canadian citizens in what was seen as retaliation.
Although all three individuals were eventually released, relations remained strained. Beijing has criticized Ottawa for aligning with Washington's policies on China, while Canada has accused China of interfering in its domestic affairs.
Both countries are now focusing on rebuilding their relationship. Discussions between Joly and Wang covered opportunities and challenges in their bilateral relations. The Chinese foreign minister acknowledged the difficulties in recent years and expressed a desire for smoother relations.
The two officials also agreed on the importance of maintaining open communication and conducting regular ministerial-level discussions.
Additionally, the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza were discussed during their meetings.
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