A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent remarks on China-related issues.
With regard to the claim that China poses a long-term challenge to the international order and acts destructively, the spokesperson noted that China insists on peaceful development, advocates openness and tolerance, practices win-win cooperation, and has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.
A few Western countries such as Canada and the U.S. cling to the Cold War mentality, insist on ideological bias, engage in “bloc politics” based on small-circle interests, and arbitrarily undermine the sovereignty of other countries, causing great damage to international peace, security and development, the spokesperson said, adding that this is the serious, long-term and greatest threat to the international order.
Regarding the so-called Chinese interference in the internal affairs of Canada, the spokesperson said China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The spokesperson said China’s consular agencies have always performed their duties in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral consular agreement between China and Canada, and their relevant practices are in line with international law and international practice.
The spokesperson urged the Canadian side to abandon its ideological bias, immediately stop stigmatizing Chinese institutions and personnel in the normal performance of their duties, and immediately stop smearing and attacking China.
Regarding the cases of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the spokesperson said China is a country governed by the rule of law and the relevant authorities handled the cases in accordance with the law.
The spokesperson stressed that Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, was detained for nearly three years without violating any Canadian law, which is uncompromisingly arbitrary detention.
At the moment, China-Canada relations are facing difficulties, which China does not want to see, but the responsibility does not lie with China, according to the spokesperson.
Some Canadian politicians have repeatedly made irresponsible remarks, creating new disruptions and obstacles to the relationship between the two countries, which will only further damage China-Canada relations and Canada’s own interests, the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson urged the Canadian side to adhere to mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, and do more to enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation and improve the atmosphere of bilateral relations, rather than the other way around.