Array
A Chinse spokesperson on Thursday accused Canada of acting in a “condescending manner» following a testy exchange between President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that underscores the depths to which the bilateral relationship has fallen.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s comments came after Xi chastised Trudeau at the G-20 summit on Wednesday over media reports on an earlier meeting during which Trudeau expressed concern about Chinese interference in Canada’s internal affairs. The apparently spontaneous exchange with a translator present was captured on video.
Mao denied China had ever interfered in the internal affairs of other nations and said Canada was responsible for the downturn in ties.
“Canada should take concrete actions to create conditions for the improvement of China-Canada relations,» she said at a daily briefing. The conversation was “quite normal and should not be interpreted as President Xi criticizing or blaming anyone.»
Mao added that there had been a clear lack of respect from the Canadian side.
“China has no problem at all with having a candid dialogue with other countries,» she said. “But we hope such a candid dialogue will be based on equal treatment and mutual respect, rather than criticizing the other in a condescending manner.»
In his comments to Trudeau, Xi said, “Everything we discussed has been leaked to the paper; that’s not appropriate.”
“And that’s not … the way the conversation was conducted, if there is sincerity on your part,” Xi said, at which point Trudeau interrupted and stepped toward Xi.
“In Canada, we believe in free and open and frank dialogue and that is what we will continue to have,” Trudeau said.
