According to the WeChat official account "Chinese Embassy in Canada," on April 24, H.E. Wang Di, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, was interviewed by Dylan Robertson, a reporter from the Canadian largest news agency, The Canadian Press (CP), at the embassy. The full transcript of the interview is as follows:
The Canadian Press:
Why does the Chinese Embassy in Canada use the word "bullying" to describe what the U.S. has done? Is the U.S. bullying other countries?
Ambassador Wang Di:
In recent times, the U.S., driven by its own selfish interests, has imposed tariffs indiscriminately on various countries, which is a typical example of unilateralism and protectionism. At the same time, the U.S. openly claims to annex the sovereignty and territory of other nations, seriously violating the principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a typical act of bullying and tyranny. This fully exposes the U.S. as a hegemonic country that believes in the law of the jungle. Such actions are unpopular and cannot succeed.
We have noticed that in the face of the U.S.'s unilateral bullying, Canada has not backed down but has stood on the side of historical correctness and international fairness and justice. China has also firmly resisted the U.S.'s unreasonable unilateral tariffs. As far as I know, China and Canada are currently the only two countries in the world that have taken actual countermeasures against U.S. tariffs. We do this not only to safeguard our own rights and interests but also for the common interests of the international community. We are not just fighting for China and Canada; we are fighting for the international community to avoid humanity returning to a jungle society where the strong prey on the weak. It can be said that China and Canada have both shouldered their international responsibilities and historical responsibilities. China's position on the U.S.'s bullying behavior is very clear. If the U.S. is willing to negotiate with us, our door remains open. However, it must be based on respect and equality. If the U.S. persists in its course and continues to take substantive harmful measures against China, we will certainly resolutely counteract and see it through to the end.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the World Trade Organization. China is willing to work with all countries, including Canada, to firmly uphold the international system centered around the United Nations and the multilateral trading system centered around the WTO. We will jointly resist all regressive actions worldwide and continue to promote economic globalization in the right direction and multilateralism in the correct direction, providing more stability and certainty to the world economy and global trade. Thank you!
The Canadian Press:
How can Canada and China cooperate to defend the UN Charter and the WTO system? Are there any specific measures? Is China inviting Canada to engage in dialogue?
Ambassador Wang Di:
China maintains communication with Canada regarding the current situation. I have had multiple communications with relevant Canadian departments about this issue recently. I feel that the relevant Canadian departments have also expressed their positive attitude towards strengthening communication with China on current issues.
The Canadian Press:
During a recent election debate, Canadian Prime Minister Carney said that China is the biggest threat facing Canada. The next day, during a campaign event, he repeated this view. In such a context, how can China and Canada cooperate?
Ambassador Wang Di:
I must say that over the past period, I have heard and seen that people from various sectors of Canadian society, the public, and the media are discussing the major survival threats facing Canada. They believe that whether it is a threat to Canada's sovereignty or its economy, Canada should put up a firm resistance. At the same time, people from all sectors of Canadian society, the public, and the media are calling for reflection on Canada's policies toward China over the past few years and urging the Canadian government to strengthen cooperation with China. So, what is the threat facing Canada? Is China a threat to Canada? I believe that the voices of the Canadian public and各界 already give a clear answer. I hope the Canadian government listens carefully to the calls of the Canadian people, reflects seriously on its policies toward China over the past few years, moves in the same direction as China, and earnestly promotes pragmatic cooperation between the two countries because this is in the fundamental interest of both peoples.
If you ask me my answer to this question, I can tell you very clearly that China is an opportunity for Canada, not a threat. If both sides uphold the spirit of correct cognition, mutual respect, and seeking common ground while shelving differences, they can achieve mutual success. Cooperation between China and Canada can assist each other's development endeavors in bilateral terms, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Internationally, we can jointly defend international fairness and justice and multilateralism, bringing more certainty and positive energy to today's challenging and turbulent world.
The Canadian Press:
China often emphasizes the strong complementarity of the economies of China and Canada. Given the current backdrop of the U.S. initiating a trade war, is China still willing to engage in economic and trade cooperation with Canada? Recently, Canadian oil exports to China have grown significantly, and many Canadians have noticed this. What opportunities for economic and trade cooperation do the two countries have?
Ambassador Wang Di:
Indeed, as you mentioned, the resource endowments and economic structures of China and Canada are highly complementary. There is great potential for economic and trade cooperation between the two sides. China has long been Canada's second-largest trading partner. According to Chinese statistical figures, last year, the bilateral trade volume between China and Canada was $93 billion, of which Canada's exports to China were $46.6 billion, an increase of 6.1%. This was also the first time in many years that Canada achieved a trade surplus with China. However, we do not believe that a surplus for Canada means that China is at a disadvantage. Last year, nearly 100 Canadian enterprises and institutions participated in China's CIIE, setting a new record. Right now, one of China's most important trade fairs, the Canton Fair, is being held. This year, according to incomplete statistics, the number of people from Canada applying for visas to China to attend the Canton Fair at the Chinese Embassy in Canada increased by 150% compared to last year. This fully demonstrates that there is strong intrinsic momentum and practical need for economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada. It also fully proves that the essence of trade between the two countries is mutually beneficial and win-win.
In addition, China's sustained stable economic growth also provides infinite possibilities for economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada in the next phase. Last year, China's economy achieved a growth rate of 5%, and this year, our expected GDP growth target is around 5%. In the first quarter just passed, China's GDP grew by 5.4%. China will continue to make important contributions to global economic growth. You may also know that China's annual contribution rate to global economic growth has consistently remained around 30%. Currently, the global economic recovery is weak, facing many uncertainties, and also brings adverse external impacts to China's economic development. However, China's market size is large, and we have many policy tools in reserve. China's economy will certainly continue to move forward along its determined goals and trajectory. We welcome Canadian participation in China's economic development express train and sincerely wish to share with Canada the opportunities of high-quality development in China. At the same time, we hope that the Canadian government will respond with the same sincerity to China and provide assistance rather than hindrance to cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, allowing market principles to play a dominant role in Sino-Canadian economic and trade cooperation instead of being hijacked by ideological biases, as this ultimately will harm the interests of the people of both countries.
The Canadian Press:
Recently, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canadian rapeseed oil and other agricultural products, which has had a significant impact on western Canada. However, the western regions of Canada are closely linked economically to China. Do you have anything you would like to say to the western regions of Canada?
Ambassador Wang Di:
The countermeasures China took against related products from Canada are responses to Canada's unilateral discriminatory tariffs on China. You are well aware that last year, the Canadian government disregarded China's repeated advice and strong opposition and insisted on imposing unilateral discriminatory tariffs on China's electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products. Therefore, in September last year, China launched a counter-discrimination investigation. The investigation concluded that Canada's unilateral tariffs constituted discriminatory measures. Based on China's relevant laws and regulations and the basic principles of international law, China announced the imposition of counter-retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian products. The cause, effect, and right and wrong of this matter are very clear. We urge Canada to respect objective facts and WTO rules and immediately correct its erroneous practices. As I just mentioned, market principles should play a dominant role. As governments of the two countries, they should provide a fair, non-discriminatory, and predictable environment for cooperation between enterprises of the two countries. China's countermeasures are not permanent measures and can be adjusted according to adjustments in Canada's policies. We hope that Canada will quickly take measures to correct its erroneous practices.
Regarding the economic and trade cooperative relationship between China and western Canada that you mentioned, China has always attached great importance to it. Geographically speaking, western Canada is the closest to China, and in a sense, it is a neighbor across the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, we maintain close interactions with western Canada. Just last week, I had a video meeting with Premier Moyle of Saskatchewan Province, and we had a good conversation, reaching many consensuses on promoting pragmatic cooperation in many areas. When I went to British Columbia (BC) Province to participate in the Chinese New Year celebration activities during the Spring Festival this year, I also had a good exchange with Premier Eby of BC Province on how to promote cooperation between BC Province and relevant provinces in China. In short, we look forward to greater progress in pragmatic cooperation between western Canada and China in the future, and we hold a positive attitude towards this. We believe that there are many opportunities and potentials for cooperation between the two sides.
The Canadian Press:
China has always emphasized its adherence to market rules and opposition to bullying by the strong. However, Canada still has concerns about the predictability and rule of law in the Chinese market. When the public sees China expressing opposition to bullying, they often think of the "two Michaels" incident. You just mentioned that both sides should adhere to the principles of correct cognition, mutual respect, and seeking common ground while shelving differences. Has China's stance on Canada changed?
Ambassador Wang Di:
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, China's position towards Canada has been consistent. We have always regarded Canada as our friend and partner. However, I must point out that the smooth development of bilateral relations cannot depend solely on China's efforts. I have been here for almost a year, and in my communication with Canadian friends, I have always emphasized a very important point: correct cognition is the primary issue for advancing bilateral relations on the right track. The 55-year history of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries fully proves that whenever there is correct cognition, and when both sides can truly respect each other and seek common ground while shelving differences, relations proceed smoothly and achieve win-win results. Whenever there is a problem with cognition, and when ideological bias is allowed to dominate bilateral relations instead of constructive efforts to seek common ground while shelving differences, problems will arise in bilateral relations. The difficulties in Sino-Canadian relations over the past few years were not caused by China nor are they something China wishes to see.
Now, China looks forward and hopes that Canada will move in the same direction as China to push our relations back on track. The correct basis is correct cognition, mutual respect, and seeking common ground while shelving differences.
As I just mentioned, in recent times, many people from various sectors of Canadian society and the public are calling for Canada to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China and reflect on its policies toward China over the past few years. I hope that our relations can be "restarted" on a correct basis. China has always regarded Canada as a friend, so is Canada prepared to regard China as a friend? If we both consider each other as friends and partners, our cooperation will undoubtedly be smooth sailing. Otherwise, one can imagine that various problems will arise in bilateral relations. Our responsibility is to ensure that the relations between the two countries advance on the correct basis. As the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, I am always ready to make efforts together with Canadian colleagues to achieve this goal and look forward to support from people from all walks of life, the public, and the media in Canada.
The Canadian Press:
Sino-Canadian relations encountered difficulties in recent years, followed by the outbreak of the pandemic, and now Trump has returned. The current world situation is unpredictable. Are you optimistic about the short-term development of Sino-Canadian relations? What actions do both sides need to take to improve Sino-Canadian relations?
Ambassador Wang Di:
Compared to when I first arrived in Canada last year, I am now more optimistic about Sino-Canadian relations. In particular, recently, voices from various sectors of Canadian society, the public, and the media calling for strengthened pragmatic cooperation with China are much louder than when I first arrived. Sino-Canadian relations have a solid historical foundation and now enjoy strong popular support. There is an ancient Chinese saying, "public opinion cannot be defied." As a government, any action must always start from serving the people. As long as we listen carefully to the voices of the people and earnestly promote bilateral cooperation, Sino-Canadian relations will undergo significant positive changes in the short term. The figures I shared earlier fully demonstrate the strong internal driving force and practical needs of the relationship. I have been here for nearly 11 months and have seen some positive changes in bilateral relations. I hope and believe that in the next 11 months, there will be more and faster positive changes in Sino-Canadian relations. I look forward to joint efforts from both sides.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496663616138117641/
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