Canadian government should weigh its gains and losses in handling ties

Although its source is unknown, the saying "If you can't be friends with Canada, you probably can't be friends with anyone else" is ingrained in many people's minds, reflecting how the North American country is well-known for its friendliness, openness and inclusiveness. It is also for these characteristics that the country has prospered.

But in his interview with The Canadian Press on Wednesday, China's ambassador Wang Di complained that although China has always regarded Canada as its friend and partner, "it takes two to tango", indicating that Canada has not reciprocated China's commitment to establishing friendly relations between the two countries.

Just last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called China one of the biggest threats with regard to foreign interference in Canada, and an emerging threat in the Arctic.

This comes in the run-up to the April 28 elections to the House of Commons in the 45th Canadian Parliament, which is a contest between the Liberal Party he leads and the Conservative Party. Carney even pointed a finger at Beijing over the Taiwan question, which is China's internal affair and a red line that no foreign force must cross.

Following Wang's interview, the Chinese side wants to send a clear signal to the Canadian government that against the backdrop of the United States' tariff war, which also targets Canada, Ottawa will gain nothing by turning China, a major trading partner, into an enemy. If the Canadian government does what Carney has said, the Canadian leader will be shooting himself in the foot with his brinkmanship.

By highlighting the coercive and extortionist nature of the US' tariff policy in the interview, Wang was also trying to remind Ottawa that Canada and China are actually in the same trench, along with others at the receiving end of the US' tariff policy, and the Carney government should coolly assess Canada's situation and be wary of the US wooing them to align with it to isolate China.

Canada's economy relies heavily on exports, something the Carney government is well aware of. So when the Canadian leader says he proposes to turn to the European Union and Southeast Asia to absorb Canada's exports, it indicates also that he does not care about the Chinese market.

But Carney needs to be reminded that the erstwhile Joe Biden administration pressed the European Union, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea to decouple from China and turn to Southeast Asia and India, a country with strained ties with Canada, but failed.

It is wishful thinking and almost mission impossible to rebuild the global industry and supply chains in a way that goes against the market and economic law; there is strong and universal opposition from business and society.

China's stance on Sino-Canadian relations is consistent. Wang made clear that China is Canada's opportunity, not Canada's threat. If China and Canada can earnestly uphold the principle of correct perception, mutual respect and seek common ground while reserving differences, the two countries can reinforce each other.

By working together, at the bilateral level, the two countries can contribute to each other's development and deliver real benefits to the two peoples. And at the international level, China and Canada can jointly uphold international fairness, justice and multilateralism, so that they can provide more certainty and positive energy in a world fraught with challenges and turbulence.

The Carney government should heed the voice of the Canadian people and its business community which believes that Canada should put up a resolute fight against US threats, including the threats to Canada's sovereignty and economic rights. At the same time, they are also calling for Canada to reflect on the China policy it has adopted in the past few years and strengthen practical cooperation with China.

Canada has everything to gain by nurturing a rational view of China's development, making a correct strategic judgement of the world situation and the times, and standing on the right side of history.