Xi Jinping on Canada
TL;DR
Xi Jinping advocates for a new strategic partnership with Canada based on mutual respect and shared development benefits.
Key Points
He met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing on January 16, 2026, to advance a new strategic partnership.
He stated that China and Canada should be partners of mutual respect, common development, mutual trust, and collaboration.
He expressed willingness to enhance communication and coordination with Canada within the frameworks of the UN, the G20, and APEC to address global challenges.
Summary
Xi Jinping asserts that the healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of both countries and is conducive to global peace and prosperity. Following a meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister in January 2026, he called for advancing a new strategic partnership, emphasizing that the two nations should be partners characterized by mutual respect, common development, mutual trust, and collaboration. This requires respecting each other's sovereignty, political systems, and development paths, while focusing economic ties on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to expand shared interests.
The context for this position is a recent thawing of bilateral ties, marked by the October 2025 meeting in Gyeongju, which set a trajectory for positive development. He stressed increasing cultural and educational exchanges to entrench public support for stronger ties and indicated a willingness to enhance coordination on global challenges within frameworks like the UN and G20. While advocating for partnership, the underlying message reflects a pragmatic approach to restoring high-level engagement after a period of strain, aiming for sustainable growth in the relationship.
Key Quotes
Both sides should promote China-Canada relations onto a path of healthy, stable and sustainable development to better benefit the peoples of both countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Xi Jinping's current position centers on advancing a new strategic partnership with Canada, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation. He views stable bilateral ties as serving the common interests of both nations and contributing to global peace. This stance was detailed following his meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister in January 2026.
In January 2026, he told the Canadian Prime Minister that the two countries should steer their relationship onto a track of sound, steady, and sustainable development. He outlined four points for partnership, including mutual respect for political systems and pursuing shared economic development.
Yes, his recent high-level meetings and statements indicate a strong push to improve and stabilize relations after a period of fluctuation. He characterized the October 2025 meeting as a turnaround, setting the relationship on a new, positive trajectory.
Sources4
Xi calls for advancing building of China-Canada new strategic partnership
President Xi Jinping Meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Xi calls for advancing building of China-Canada new strategic partnership
Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.