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Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Carney said Thursday that Canada is looking to enter a “new era of relations” with China and that the two countries signed a number of agreements this week on energy, agriculture and animal health.
The prime minister said at the meeting that he is “extremely pleased” the countries are moving ahead with a new strategic partnership.
Carney said the countries are focusing on areas where they can make historic gains — agriculture, energy and climate.
“Together, we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one, adapt it to new global realities to deliver stability, security and prosperity for our peoples,” he said.
Carney and other Canadian officials are seen in the Great Hall of the People on Friday. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)
The meeting is the second between the two leaders, following a discussion the two had on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea in October.
Xi, through a translator, said on Friday that the summit in South Korea was “a very good meeting,” which “marked a turnaround in the China-Canada relations and placed it on an upward trajectory.”
“A healthy and stable China-Canada relationship serves the common interest of our two countries … it is also good for the peace, stability and prosperity of the world,” he added.
Before the trip, Canadian officials told reporters to expect possible movement on — but not an end to — a tariff dispute affecting electric vehicles and canola.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Thursday that negotiations were still ongoing about the issue and that Carney would have more to say about the talks after he meets with Xi.
Canadian and Chinese officials are seen meeting inside the Great Hall of the People on Friday. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)