China has expressed optimism about restoring strained diplomatic ties with Canada following the recent federal election win of Liberal leader Mark Carney. Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China is “willing to work with the new Canadian government to rebuild mutual trust and expand cooperation.”

“We hope this new chapter under Prime Minister Carney will lead to a more balanced and respectful bilateral relationship,” Guo stated.

Ties between the two countries soured significantly in recent years over issues ranging from trade tensions and the detention of Canadian citizens in China, to Ottawa’s stance on Chinese state-linked technology firms.

However, Guo emphasized that both countries are “important partners in the Asia-Pacific” and share overlapping interests in trade, climate, and global governance.

Carney’s Position Unclear

While Carney has yet to outline a formal China policy, analysts believe his background as a global economic leader may lend itself to a more pragmatic, calibrated approach to relations with Beijing. During the campaign, Carney signaled that Canada must “stand strong for its values” while maintaining open dialogue with global powers.

The Chinese government’s early outreach may be an attempt to reset the tone and avoid further confrontation as Canada positions itself on the global stage under new leadership.