Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland of Canada

2018-08-07 23:00

On August 3, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland of Canada on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation in Singapore.

Wang Yi expressed that both China and Canada firmly support multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and advocate the building of an open world economy. As the current world enters the era of globalization, no one could go against the trend of the history. Facing the current international situation, China and Canada should proceed from the interests of all mankind and the maintenance of world peace and prosperity, and work with other countries to adhere to the maintenance of the rules-based multilateral trading system and insist on acting in accordance with the international rules. In this process, it is the proper meaning for China and Canada as strategic partners to promote bilateral relations for healthier, more stable and forward-looking development. It is hoped that both sides will enhance communication and start the negotiation process of free trade agreement between China and Canada at an early date.

Chrystia Freeland noted that Canada advocates free trade, and firmly stands for maintaining the rules-based international order, which is of vital importance to Canada and the international community. The Canadian side appreciates the Chinese side's important contributions to safeguarding multilateral trading rules. At this crucial moment of international situation, the Canadian side strongly hopes to, together with the Chinese side, deepen relations, intensify coordination and cooperation, maintain international trade rules and order in the 21st century, safeguard authority and effectiveness of the World Trade Organization, and jointly oppose trade protectionism.