By Chris Park| October 31, 2025 | Gyeongju, South Korea
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a formal bilateral meeting on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, marking the first official leader-level meeting between China and Canada since 2017. The 40-minute discussion signaled a cautious but notable step toward mending ties that have been strained for years.
At the start of the meeting, President Xi emphasized the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, saying China is willing to work with Canada to “bring bilateral relations back onto the right track of healthy, stable, and sustainable development.” Xi also extended an invitation for Prime Minister Carney to visit China.
Carney described the meeting as “long overdue” and a potential “turning point” in Canada–China relations, noting that “distance is not the way to solve problems or serve our people.” He said the dialogue could open new opportunities for Canadians and Canadian businesses alike.
According to a statement from the Canadian government, both leaders instructed their officials to act quickly to resolve outstanding trade disputes and focus on priority areas such as agriculture, seafood, and electric vehicles. They also discussed solutions to recurring trade barriers affecting major Canadian exports — including canola, pork, and minerals — that have faced restrictions in China in recent years.
The meeting marks a potential thaw after years of frosty relations. Ties deteriorated sharply in 2018 following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadian citizens. Those incidents, compounded by concerns over election interference and diaspora-related controversies, led to a deep trust deficit between Ottawa and Beijing.
The last formal high-level engagement between the two countries was in December 2017, when then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Beijing seeking to advance a free trade agreement — an effort that ultimately stalled.
Analysts say this week’s dialogue could mark a turning point in bilateral relations. Xi’s meeting a day earlier with U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily eased Sino–American trade tensions, appears to have created a more favorable climate for Canada to re-engage with China. Canadian business leaders and think-tank observers suggest Ottawa should seize the opportunity to pursue pragmatic cooperation while safeguarding national interests.
Following the talks, Carney said he was “satisfied with the outcome” but did not disclose additional details. Both governments pledged to use the meeting as a starting point for renewed, constructive dialogue aimed at gradually improving Canada–China relations.
— Canada 24h Comprehensive Report
