Territory, Tariffs, and Trade: Chinese Ambassador Wang Di  says China Respects Canada’s Sovereignty and Wants to Strengthen Ties  

Last week, Ottawa Life Magazine Publisher and Managing Editor Dan Donovan sat down with His Excellency Wang Di, the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, for an insightful interview about the state of Canada-China relations. The discussion explored how the two nations are navigating a complex and evolving relationship, underscored by significant trade disputes, tariff tensions, and recent diplomatic strains. This conversation comes at a critical juncture. Relations between Canada and China have faced challenges, including disputes over agricultural tariffs, retaliatory trade measures, and broader geopolitical tensions. Despite these obstacles, the two countries remain deeply interconnected through robust trade, cultural exchanges, and shared global responsibilities.

Please listen to the podcast and find the interview Q&A below.

Note: This interview was conducted with the assistance of a translator. The responses have been translated and edited for clarity.

ABOVE: Ottawa Life Magazine Publisher and Managing Editor Dan Donovan with His Excellency Wang Di, the Chinese Ambassador to Canada.

OLM: Ambassador Wang, thank you for hosting us this morning. The world is in some chaos, diplomatic chaos, chaos between countries. And for the first time in our history, here in Canada, we’re in what many consider to be an economic war with our American cousins and friends. This has shocked many Canadians. I’d like to start by just asking you what role you see China playing in this rather chaotic situation we find ourselves in. And I’m also interested in your observations as you’re watching this stress between Canada and the United States unfold.

Ambassador Wang Di: First of all, I just want to say welcome to our embassy. I’m very happy to have this opportunity to discuss with you China’s diplomacy. So, if you allow it, I will speak in Chinese. I will ask my colleague to translate it into English.

As you may know, a couple of days ago in China, we held the very well-known Two Sessions, and the Foreign Minister, Wang Yi of China, also held a press conference to answer questions about China’s foreign policy. I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to answer your questions and at the same time to share with you the latest and the most authoritative interpretation of China’s foreign policy by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. As you said, we are living in a changing and turbulent world where certainty is becoming a scarce resource. So, we believe the choices made by countries, especially major countries, will determine the trajectory of our times and shape the future of our world. China’s diplomacy will stand firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. We will provide certainty to this uncertain world.

So, in this changing and turbulent world, China will be a staunch force defending its national interests. In today’s world, we see a lot of unilateral maximum pressure, blackmail, and threats. The Chinese people never provoke, but we are not intimidated by provocations. So, no maximum pressure, threat or blackmail can undermine the determination of the Chinese people and the confidence of the Chinese people to seek a better life. And China will be a just and righteous force for world peace and stability. We will continue to expand our global partnerships featuring equality, openness, and cooperation. And we will actively use the Chinese approach to resolve hotspot issues. We will prove with facts the path of peaceful development is a bright path and can ensure stable and sustainable progress. And that should be the choice of all countries.

And we will also be a progressive force for international fairness and justice. And we will uphold true multilateralism and observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. And build more consensus for an equal and orderly multipolar world. China will also be a constructive force for the common development of the world. China stands ready to share its vast opportunities of Chinese modernization with all countries in the world and advance an inclusive and universally beneficial economic globalization.

OLM: President Trump has levied tariffs on several countries in the world, including Canada. Shortly after he was elected, he levied tariffs on China on imports from China. Having said that, he also — parallel to levying tariffs on your country and our country — says he wants to develop a good relationship with China. So that seems a little contradictory. Can you maybe address how you see the future of Canada? Let’s start with the China-U.S. relationship. How do you see that relationship unfolding? And then maybe we can pivot to Canada.

Ambassador Wang: China always believes that mutual respect is a basic rule of state-to-state relations. And it is also an important prerequisite for China-U.S. relations. And no country should harbour the illusion that they can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time. Because this kind of practice will not help both sides to establish mutual trust. If the Americans choose to cooperate with China, then we are ready to realize mutual benefit with the Americans. But if the Americans insist on resorting to maximum pressure, China will resolutely take countermeasures. As President Xi Jinping noted in his telephone call with President Trump earlier this year, confrontation and conflict should not be an option.

And given the extensive common interest in broad space for cooperation, it is possible for China and the United States to become partners helping each other succeed and prosper together. So, China will stay committed to the three principles proposed by President Xi Jinping. That is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation in promoting steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. At the same time, we hope that the U.S. side will listen to the cause of the two peoples and see clearly the trend of the times. Take an objective and rational view of China’s development and engage proactively with China in practical exchanges and work together with China to pursue the right way of getting along with each other to the benefit of the two countries as well as the whole world.

OLM: Mr. Ambassador, there is a view right now that the international order is in a very dangerous place, probably the most dangerous place since the end of the Second World War. We’re seeing a trend of anti-globalization, the rise of unilateralism and the weakening of the role and authority of the United Nations. Can you comment on what role you think China will have in dealing with this situation? And what are your general views on the changes in multilateralism and unilateralism at this moment?

Ambassador Wang: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN. Well, I think we should say that around the end of the Second World War, the most important decision made by the international community was to establish the United Nations. The UN now is the primary platform for maintaining world peace and promoting global governance. It is safe to say that the 80 years of history has shown that the United Nations has withstood tests and has been instrumental. Now today, as you have said, there have been fundamental changes in the world situation. Unilateralism is on the rise and power politics runs rampant. China believes that the more complex the problems are, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the United Nations. The more pressing the challenges are, the greater the need to uphold the due authority of the United Nations.

So, China believes that what we need to do is to first of all cement the cornerstone of sovereign equality. All countries, regardless of their size and strength, should be recognized as equal members of the international community. Those with stronger arms and bigger fists should not be allowed to call the shots in the world. Second, the principle of fairness and justice must be upheld. What China opposes is the situation where international affairs are monopolized by a small number of countries. The legitimate rights and interests of all countries should be fully protected. And third, multilateralism must be observed, and the international rule of law must be strengthened. We believe that major countries in particular should take the lead in upholding integrity and honesty. We oppose double standards and selective application of some international rules. Still less should they resort to bullying, monopoly, trickery, or extortion.

China is a founder and beneficiary of the post Second World War international order. And we are also an advocate and builder of this order. As a permanent representative of the United Nations Security Council, China is aware of its international responsibilities and will firmly uphold the central status of the United Nations. China will continue to be a cornerstone of the multilateral system and a spokesperson for the global governments. For quite some time, China has been providing a series of important public goods to global governments. I think you may have heard some of them. For example, the proposal by President Xi Jinping to build a community with a shared future for mankind. And President Xi Jinping also proposed three important global initiatives. That is the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative. And also, before that, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative.

We welcome all countries, including Canada, to participate in China’s initiatives. China proposes these initiatives, but they are not exclusive at all. China is ready to work with all sides to reflect on the founding vision of the United Nations, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and build a more just and equitable global governance system.

OLM: I’ve observed over the last 13 years, as I’ve observed Chinese foreign policy, there’s a consistency to it which you have not deviated from today. I recall in 2018, your foreign minister talked about something he called a win-win, always trying to achieve a win-win. And I’ve observed that China stays on that path. It seems international affairs now, in our country and in the United States and in the Western countries, we have been going through a horrible war in Ukraine where the Russian forces took military action against Ukraine, and hundreds of thousands of people have died. You’ve talked about the United Nations playing a role in this and trying to achieve peace. Your country, through your foreign minister, has put forward a potential solution to that conflict. In the United States, Mr. Trump is on a mission to try to impose a ceasefire.

China has emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. Considering former President Trump’s meeting with President Zelensky, where he appeared to prioritize a separate deal with Russia over Ukraine’s interests, could you elaborate on China’s position regarding the Ukraine crisis? How does this align with the views expressed by your foreign ministry on finding a resolution to this devastating situation?

Ambassador Wang: Well, since the first instance of the Ukraine crisis, China has been working relentlessly for peace and for peace talks. In the earlier days after the outbreak of this crisis, President Xi Jinping proposed four important points that we must observe. First, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. Second, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed. Third, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously. Fourth, every effort that is helpful for peace must be supported. So, these four points are the fundamental principles China follows in addressing the Ukraine crisis. China has issued a position paper on the Ukraine crisis, sent its special representative for shuttle diplomacy, and initiated the Group of Friends for Peace at the United Nations together with Brazil and other global south countries. Everything we do, we have only one purpose. That is to pave the road for ceasefire and peace talks.

To be frank, with hindsight this tragedy could have been avoided. I think all parties concerned should learn a lesson from this crisis. Security is mutual and equal. The security of one country should not be built on the insecurity of another country. What we need to do is to build a common, integrated, sustainable and equal new security framework. And, in this way, we can realize sustained security on the Euro-Asian continent and the whole world. Now, it’s been a long time since the beginning of this Ukraine crisis. We believe that negotiations should be where the war ends and where the peace starts. China is pleased to see all efforts that are conducive to peace.

And we hope that all concerned parties and stakeholders can participate in the peace talks process at an appropriate time so that ultimately, we can reach a peace agreement that is fair, durable, and binding and that can be accepted by all concerned parties. China will, as always and consistently play our due role in resolving the Ukraine crisis. China is ready to play our constructive role to realize enduring peace together with all countries in the world, including Canada, in light of the willingness of the concerned parties.

OLM: You mentioned that China respects territorial borders. Does this principle apply to Ukraine? Is China affirming its respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity while seeking to resolve the crisis?

Ambassador Wang: As I said earlier, President Xi Jinping proposed four points that must be done. And the first point is that the territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and that, of course, includes Ukraine.

OLM: China has taken, I would say, under President Xi, a much more emergent position in the world, both because of your strong economy and because of your multilateralism. If a settlement is reached in Ukraine, there is talk about involving United Nations peacekeepers. However, it has been suggested that these peacekeepers cannot come from NATO or Russia. Would China consider contributing to a peacekeeping mission as part of a multilateral force in Ukraine? I understand this might be a challenging question, but it’s something people often ask, and I’m curious if China would be open to participating in such a mission.

Ambassador Wang: I think in the current situation, the first thing that we need to do is to realize a ceasefire and start peace talks. In terms of the arrangements after the ceasefire, China will work together with all concerned parties on that.

OLM: I’d like to pivot now to Canada. This past weekend the former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was elected as a new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and will be sworn in as our prime minister this week. Can you comment on the results of this race and what impact you think it will have on the Canada-China relationship?

Ambassador Wang: China has already expressed congratulations to Mr. Carney for being elected as a new Liberal Party leader. China’s Canada policy has been consistent. That is, we are a friend of all Canadian people, and we have always regarded Canada as our friend and partner. In the past 55 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, no matter which party is in power in Canada, both sides have achieved fruitful outcomes in our cooperation. I think an important reason for that is that the China-Canada relationship is built on a very profound foundation of good people-to-people connections. And additionally, our two countries are highly complementary in terms of our economic structure.

So as I think, I believe that as long as both sides stay committed to our original aspiration, when we establish diplomatic relations, uphold friendship, stick to the correct perception of each other and follow the principle of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation, then both sides can live up to the high expectations of our two peoples and fully utilize the complementarities we have in our two countries as to reinforce each other’s development and provide more positive energy to the development of the whole world. We hope that the Canadian government under Mr. Carney will adopt an objective and rational perception of China, and follow a proactive and pragmatic approach when it deals with China.

As you may know, this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries as well as the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership of our two countries. We look forward to working together in the same direction with Canada to overcome the difficulties and challenges on the way ahead in our biological relations and staying committed to strengthening practical cooperation between our two countries and to achieve improvement and better development of our bilateral relation because this will bring real benefits to the two peoples.

OLM: Mr. Ambassador, the United States is our number one trading partner (our number two is China) in the world — because of CUSMA, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Agreement, which a big part of that agreement is the auto sector. For example, there were tariffs imposed against Chinese vehicles coming into Canada, 100 percent tariffs. And, it’s no secret that the political relationship between Canada and China under the previous Trudeau government was stressed. So, the new prime minister, Mr. Carney, presents an opportunity maybe to have a different approach. Having said that, last week, the Chinese government imposed tariffs on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, aquatic products, and pork. We’re also concerned about canola. These are industries that are highly important to the Canadian economy, especially the canola sector and pork and agricultural products.

So, we have these tariffs by China, on the one hand, and now we’re getting these tariffs from the United States. People here see that as an economic attack on our country. As they say in English, we are the meat in the sandwich. And I’m just wondering if you can comment on these tariffs, especially the agricultural tariffs that China’s imposed and what do you see as a pathway for us to hopefully get rid of those tariffs?

Ambassador Wang: First of all, China’s tariffs on some of the products of Canada are a retaliatory countermeasure against the unilateral tariffs imposed by Canada on China’s EVs and steel and aluminum products last year. Last year the Canadian government, in disregard of China’s strong opposition and multiple rounds of persuasion, insisted on announcing tariffs on imposing tariffs on China’s EVs and steel and aluminum products, which is in violation of the WTO rules and is a typical trade protectionist move. It also causes disruption to the normal trade relationship between China and Canada. So in September last year, China started an anti-discrimination investigation as a countermeasure against the unilateral discriminatory tariffs of Canada. So, after the investigation, the conclusion we had is that the unilateral restrictive tariffs by the Canadian side on Chinese goods are a discriminatory measure against Chinese companies.

It disrupts the international trade order and seriously damages Chinese business interests. So it was against this background that in accordance with China’s tariff law and foreign trade law and other laws and regulations, China announced tariffs on Canadian products. China urges Canada to respect the objective facts and observe the WTO rules and rectify its mistakes immediately so that we can provide a fair, nondiscriminatory and predictable environment for businesses from both countries to conduct trade and cooperation. What I want to stress is that the counter measures taken by the Chinese government are not of permanent nature. They are a reaction to the unilateral tariffs imposed by the Canadian side. The ball is in the court of the Canadian side.

OLM: In this year’s China government work report, there were development plans in several areas: industry, scientific innovation, infrastructure, clean energy, and energy. Currently, in Canada, in our energy sector, our number one customer is the United States. The United States has declared economic war on Canada. And we’ve realized something that people in this country have said for many years: that the mistake of the Trudeau government in putting all of our eggs in one basket and having one customer for our energy resources would come back to haunt us. And that’s what’s happened. Now there’s a big discussion in Canada about whether we should have energy pipelines from east to west. Currently, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, has said she’s looking to diversify and sell Alberta energy to other global customers.

There have been stresses in the political relationship between China and Canada. But does this moment provide an opportunity maybe for Canada? Is China interested in buying energy from Canada, in doing business with Canada? China has 1.3 billion people with energy needs. If Canada was willing to sell our energy to China, is China a willing customer?

Ambassador Wang: China and Canada are highly complementary with each other in terms of economy. In the areas you mentioned, I think there’s great potential for our two countries to cooperate. But what is equally important is that the two governments should work together to create a positive environment and a fair and non-discriminatory environment for both sides to conduct cooperation in all of the areas you mentioned. Just like I said in my answer to your last question, that is, I hope that the Canadian side can create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable environment for businesses from both sides to cooperate with each other. Because in the past few years when Chinese businesses came to Canada to make investments or conduct cooperation, they were faced with a lot of non-market restrictive measures.

When a lot of my business friends, my Chinese business friends, approached me asking about whether they should make investment or cooperate with Canadian businesses, the question they ask is not whether Canada is a suitable or a good place for conduction for cooperation in this or that area with China, what they ask is whether their businesses will face restrictive measures in Canada. Because what they have seen in the past few years is that the Canadian side has imposed a lot of non-market restrictive measures against a lot of Chinese businesses here in Canada. And a lot of these restrictive measures are out of political motive or security motive, which is an abuse of these concepts.

Well, just like the Canadian government has imposed the unilateral discriminatory tariffs on Chinese EVs and steel and aluminum products, the Chinese companies worry that when they come to Canada to make trade or investment here, they would all of a sudden face this or that kind of tariffs imposed by the Canadian government. Business people pursue benefits and a fair environment.

I think we should allow the market to determine the cooperation between the businesses of our two countries. If we give it to the market rules to lead the cooperation between our two sides, I think we will have a lot of opportunities in all of the areas that you have mentioned. And China’s economy, in addition, has always been one of the best performing major economies in the world. For many years, China’s contribution to world economic growth has been above 30 percent. Last year China’s GDP grew by 5 percent. And this year our target is still 5 percent. So, China’s economy will continue to be an important engine for the world economy. This means that China is the best example for business opportunities in the world. Now China’s economy is also in a transition period from high number or high growth to high quality development.

This of course presents a lot of opportunities for China-Canada cooperation. As the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, to be very frank, China stands ready to share the opportunities brought by its high-quality development with Canada. And we welcome Canada to ride on the fast train of China’s development. But as we often say, it takes two to tango. So, you know, if only China is enthusiastic about that, it cannot happen because the Canadian side keeps imposing unjustified tariffs and restrictions on China, then of course we will have to respond and then a lot of opportunities will be missed for our businesses.

OLM: Mr. Ambassador, your response led me to think about some concerns Canadians have. Right now, Canadians are very sensitive about our economy, our security, our country, and our people. President Trump has recently made comments that he wants to control Panama. He’s also issued an edict that he would like Greenland to become part of the United States, which the Danes don’t like, we don’t like. He’s made it very clear that it’s because he’s interested in minerals, the potential mining, and other opportunities in that area. Earlier in our conversation, you talked about China respecting territorial boundaries. The United States, through the Trump administration, has left the impression that they do not respect Canada’s territorial boundaries and our Arctic sovereignty. The Canadian government announced yesterday additional defense commitments to secure our Arctic. Does China respect Canada’s territorial boundaries and our Arctic boundaries?

Ambassador Wang: China respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries and that of course includes Canada. Since the first day of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, we have been emphasizing that China and Canada should respect each other’s territorial integrity and so on. China’s policy of China has never changed and will not change. As you know, China is an independent country. Once we are committed to something, we will not easily change it because of any external pressure.

OLM: I appreciate your candour today and your answers, very helpful, very insightful. I’d like to just go back, I guess, to the more human element of our relationship. You know, we’ve been through much with our two countries over the last 55 years since the official diplomatic recognition of our countries – as you know, this was pre-Nixon with former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. We share a great deal of history with many of our citizens, our people-to-people relations, and business-to-business. Can you just comment on how you see the future of Canada’s relationship with China, the people-to-people exchanges and the important things that you think are at the top of your list in terms of making sure our relationship can continue to be fruitful moving forward?

Ambassador Wang: The  China-Canada friendship is solidly built on the good bond, the strong bond between our two people. And China and Canada have a lot of common stories that we can tell about China-Canada friendship. Dr. Norman Bethune is the best-known foreigner in China. And we also have the story of the Chinese workers who have contributed a lot to the Canadian Pacific Railway that connects the west and east coasts of this country. And at the same time, we have 1.8 million Chinese people here who are an important part of the multicultural cultural community of this country. They have made a lot of contributions to the development of the economy and society of this country. They are also at the same time an important bridge for advancing China-Canada friendship and cooperation.

So, when we compare the China-Canada relationship with the relationships between China and other countries, we have a lot of unique advantages when we want to further advance our relationship. And that is also a very important reason that can explain why we had very good cooperation in the many years following the establishment of our diplomatic relations. But unfortunately, in the past few years China-Canada relationship has suffered some setbacks. I think we should do some soul searching about why we have suffered these setbacks in China-Canada relations. China is ready to move forward together with Canada to open a new chapter in our relationship. But lessons must be learned. And we do not want to repeat the same mistakes we made in the past few years.

So that’s why the Chinese side has been emphasizing time and time again that China and Canada should adhere to the correct perception of each other. And that is why we must observe the principle of mutual respect, seeking common ground while putting aside differences and mutual beneficial cooperation. I’ve talked to a lot of Canadian people in the past nine months since my arrival-not only in Ottawa, but I also travelled to a lot of provinces. I heard a strong voice among the Canadian people that supports China Canada Friendship.

And in different sectors, there are also a lot of people who support China-Canada Friendship. But unfortunately, I have also noticed some voices and some people who do not want to see a better China-Canada relationship. But what I firmly believe is that the China-Canada friendship is the right thing, and it is beneficial not only to our two countries, but also to the world. That is why we have kept saying that China and Canada together should both firmly adhere to strategic independence and remove all the interferences and disturbances that could hinder the development of our relations and firmly put the interests of our two peoples at the forefront in our relationship, not the interests of any other.

I believe that under the support of people like you who support China-Canada relationship and friendship, we will have a bright future in our relations.

OLM: I want to thank you for your comments and your very perceptive insights into the Canada-China relationship. I’d also like to note that 13 years ago when the former Ambassador Zhang was here, we met with him to see if he would be interested in participating in a Canada-China Friendship or Canada-China Cooperation series so we could share with our readers the insights that we saw in the Canada-China relationship. It was initially driven by the Chinese diaspora here in Ottawa. That storytelling has now gone on for 13 years, and it followed Ambassador Zhang and then Ambassador Lu Shaye. Then, of course, we continued the series with Ambassador Cong Peiwu through some of the difficult political periods. The one observation I have in this period is that China has been very consistent in the way that it treats Canada, in the way that it approaches issues in the world and in its friendship with Canada. Even through the difficult times, I saw the Chinese diplomacy corps try to always look for a win-win. I want to thank you for sharing your observations with us this morning. I think Canada is at a nexus point in terms of our relationship with our southern neighbour and, of course, in terms of our relationship with China. We look forward to continuing the conversation in the future.

Ambassador Wang: Thank you. I think in this world full of challenges and turbulences, uncertainties, instabilities, unpredictability, China, Canada, together we can do a lot of things, not only serve our two people’s interests, but provide more success, certainty, stability, and predictability to this world. We can inject more positive energy into this world, but that needs a lot of joint effort on two sides.