State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Speaks with Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on the Phone

2020-04-07 22:00

 

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on the phone on 2 April.

Foreign Minister Champagne commended China for its remarkable achievements in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak and thanked China for providing medical supplies and sharing experience. He noted that in the face of this global challenge, it is all the more important for Canada and China to enhance public health cooperation.

Champagne expressed the Canadian side's hope to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year to strengthen communication and cooperation with China and put the bilateral relationship back on the right track through constructive measures. He stressed that the Canadian side attaches great importance to the safety and health of Chinese citizens in Canada and will provide necessary support to them.

State Councilor Wang said that the virus is a common enemy for all and must be addressed with collective efforts of all countries. China was the first country to report outbreak information to the World Health Organization, and has taken stringent and thorough containment measures unseen before. Thanks to these efforts, the outbreak has been put under control. The WHO-China Joint Mission also recognized that what China did has miraculously changed the epidemic curve.

Wang pointed out that China has not only protected the health and safety of the Chinese people, but also bought time for the rest of the world and provided precious experience. Any remarks that ignore this basic fact are untenable and constitute a total disrespect for the tremendous sacrifice the Chinese people have made. I believe the Canadian side will not subscribe to such remarks.

Wang commended Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statements against racial discrimination on various occasions and participation in events held by Chinese communities in Canada, as well as the Canadian side's gesture of goodwill and assistance to China. Wang noted that the Chinese people are a grateful nation. At this difficult moment for Canada, China expresses sympathies to the Canadian people and stands ready to provide support and assistance they urgently need and share epidemic control experience with no reservation.

Wang added that there are now around 850,000 Chinese citizens in Canada, of which about 230,000 are students. Their wellbeing is high on our mind, and we trust that the Canadian side will protect their health and legitimate rights and interests.

Wang pointed out that this outbreak is changing everything. He urged solidarity and collective response as an imperative in the face of this common threat to all mankind. Under the current circumstances, self-serving practices of long-arm jurisdiction or bullying can find no support whatsoever and must be renounced.

Wang stressed that this year should be a momentous opportunity for China and Canada to strengthen cooperation, as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The Canadian side has stated multiple times that it attaches importance to relations with China and hopes to bring the relations back on track. China takes Canada's position seriously, and hopes that it will make a clear decision and take immediate steps to remove the obstacles in the bilateral relations.