Following Mark Carney becoming the next Canadian Prime Minister, the Chinese foreign minister said the countries will continue to grow bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect.
The former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England was elected the leader of the Canadian Liberal Party with 86% of the vote, becoming Justin Trudeau’s successor.
In a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning congratulated Carney on his victory and commented on the relationship between the two countries.
"Regarding China’s relations with Canada, we always believe that we need to grow bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” she said.
“(We hope the) Canadian side will form an objective and rational perception of China, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy towards China, and work with China in the same direction for the improvement and growth of bilateral relations."
Carney’s victory came just a day after China announced tariffs on over US$2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products.
They are set to take effect on 20 March and will match the 100% and 25% import duties Canada slapped on China-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.
"The countermeasures China has taken are fully necessary, justified, reasonable and lawful," Ning said.
“China urges Canada to take concrete steps to correct the wrongdoings, and provide a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable environment for the normal trade and cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.”
