From December 2 to 4, President Wang Chao of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) led a delegation to Montreal, Canada to attend the Eighth Meeting of the China-Canada Track Two Dialogue, co-hosted by the CPIFA and the China Institute at the University of Alberta of Canada.

The China-Canada Track Two Dialogue is supported by the governments of both countries and serves as an important mechanism for former government officials and renowned think tank scholars from both sides to discuss China-Canada relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

This meeting came at a significant juncture as China and Canada are approaching the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership. It is the first time since 2019 that the dialogue has been held in-person and also marks the return to Canada for the first time in six years, which both sides highly value. The Chinese side was led by CPIFA President Wang Chao, with members including Dr. Qiu Yuanping, former Executive Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the CPC, Prof. Jiang Xiaojuan, Professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Amb. Zou Xiaoli, Vice President of the CPIFA, Ms. Jiang Xiaoming, Director General of Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPIFA, Ms. Ma Yinghui, Deputy Director General of Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Prof. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director of North American and Oceanian Studies of Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Prof. Zhao Minghao of the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University. The Canadian side was led by Mr. Philippe Rheault, Director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, with members including Hon. Mr. Jean Charest, former Canadian Federal Conservative Cabinet Minister, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Premier of Quebec, Mr. Edward Goldenberg, Chief Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Prof. Yves Tiberghien, Dean Emeritus of the Asia Institute of the University of British Columbia, Prof. Gordon Houlden, Director Emeritus of the China Institute at the University of Alberta. H.E. Mr. Wang Di, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, was invited to address the opening session, while Mr. Dai Yuming, Chinese Consul General in Montreal, and officials from Global Affairs Canada attended the meeting as observers.

Both sides reviewed and summarized the past of the bilateral relationship and explored the possibilities for future development and cooperation. The overall tone of the dialogue was positive and constructive.

Both sides believed that China-Canada relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries. Not long ago, the foreign ministers of the two countries met in Lima, once again sending a positive signal of commitment to improving bilateral relations. To this end, both sides should strengthen political communication and enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation to seek mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, uphold multilateralism and jointly address the global crises as well as various international and regional hot issues facing humanity.

The two sides agreed that differences should not define the bilateral relationship. Given their different stages of development and development models, it is normal for China and Canada to have different positions and interests on various issues. The common interests between China and Canada outweigh their differences. Both sides should continuously deepen understanding and enhance trust based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and gradually bridge and properly handle these differences. The Chinese side emphasized the importance of maintaining a correct strategic perception of China, while also avoiding external factors that could disrupt China-Canada relations.

Both sides underscored the importance of cherishing the profound friendship the two peoples forged in their long interactions and of continuously repairing the public opinion base for improving bilateral relations. The two sides should start with practical actions such as increasing direct flights and facilitating visa approval processes, and encourage dialogue and exchanges at all levels and in all fields. The CPIFA will actively prepare for the Ninth Meeting of China-Canada Track Two Dialogue to be held in China next year.

Ms. Joya Donnelly, Acting Deputy Assistant Minister of Global Affairs Canada, congratulated the successful holding of the dialogue via video link and thanked both sides for their positive efforts, expressing the expectation for the continuous improvement of relations between the two countries.

President Wang Chao and his delegation also met with Mr. Olivier Desmarais, Senior Vice President of Power Corporation of Canada and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canada China Business Council. Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, such as China-Canada economic and trade relations.