Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand Meets Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing to Discuss Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Engagement in Beijing

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Friday, October 17, 2025. The high-level meeting aimed to advance bilateral relations between Canada and China, following 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. This engagement builds upon a commitment made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang to regularize communication channels between the two nations.

Key Discussion Points and Areas of Cooperation

During their discussions, the ministers addressed a range of topics, including issues of 'respective sensitivity' and potential areas for cooperation. Key subjects included:

• Trade and Economic Matters: Discussions covered agriculture and agri-food products, specifically canola, as well as seafood, meat, and electric vehicles.
• Environmental and Health Initiatives: Both ministers identified the environment, energy, and health as crucial areas where Canada and China could work together constructively.
• Strategic Partnership: The meeting highlighted the 20th anniversary of the Canada-China Strategic Partnership, with ministers exploring how to renew and refocus it to meet shared objectives in an evolving bilateral and global context.
• Communication and Trust-Building: Both Minister Anand and Minister Wang Yi agreed that 'regular and candid communication is essential to build trust, enhance cooperation and address respective concerns.'

The Canadian foreign ministry stated that the ministers 'agreed that regular and candid communication is essential to build trust, enhance cooperation and address respective concerns.' An official Chinese readout indicated that Wang Yi expressed Beijing's willingness to restart dialogue and exchanges at all levels to promote the resolution of each nation's legitimate concerns.

Context of the Visit

Minister Anand's visit to China is part of a broader three-nation Asian tour, which also included India and Singapore, and is a component of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy. This diplomatic outreach is seen as an effort to thaw strained relationships and represents a 'diplomatic reset' for Canada with key global powers. Minister Anand emphasized Canada's approach to engaging with China, stating that Canada will 'cooperate with China where possible, challenge it where needed, while keeping dialogue open at all times.' The ministers also acknowledged recent positive developments, such as the resumption of consular consultations and exchanges at senior levels.