After Justin Trudeau’s public scolding, China said it supports open exchanges provided they are held on equal terms.
After President Xi Jinping vented his anger at Trudeau for leaking details about a meeting at which the Canadian prime minister raised concerns over China’s interference in his country’s affairs, the two were spotted arguing at summit in Indonesia.
China’s foreign ministry stated that Mr Xi wasn’t criticizing Mrs Trudeau.
Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Canada is responsible for the current status of relations between Beijing & Ottawa and that Canada hopes Canada will create conditions that improve bilateral ties.
She said, “The video you have mentioned was in fact a brief conversation between leaders during the G20 summit.”
“This is quite normal. It shouldn’t be interpreted by Chairman Xi as a criticism or accusation of anyone.
A TV camera captured President Xi’s exchanges with Mr Trudeau.
What was the exchange between the two?
Through an interpreter, Xi Jinping stated to Mr Trudeau that everything they discussed had been leaked to paper.
“And that’s… not… how the conversation was conducted,” Mr Xi stated, at which point Mr Trudeau intervened.
Trudeau stated that Canada believes in open, honest and free dialogue.
“We will continue looking to work constructively together but there will always be things that we disagree on.”
As Mr Trudeau responded, Mr Xi turned around.
“Let’s make the conditions first,” Mr Xi replied through an interpreter before they shook hands.
As he leaves, Mr Xi can still be heard saying Mandarin: “Very naive.”
Trudeau raised ‘serious concerns’
Last Tuesday, the pair spoke for the first time at G20.
According to a Canadian official, they had discussed Ukraine, North Korea, and climate change. Mr Trudeau expressed “serious concern” about interference activities in Canada.
Later, when asked about the confrontation, Trudeau stated that “not all conversations are going to be easy but it’s extremely crucial that we continue standing up for the important things for Canadians”.
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Leaders “expressing their respective positions”
Ms Mao, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said that China has never interfered in the affairs or people of other countries.
She didn’t say if Mr Trudeau brought up the alleged Chinese interference Tuesday as the reason for the exchange between the leaders the next day.
Ms Mao stated that Mr Xi’s threat to Mr Trudeau was not a threat. Both leaders were simply engaging in a normal exchange and “expressing their respective views”.
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