On first official visit to China, Canada’s Trudeau expected to put ties on ‘more even keel’
After a decade of uncertain relations under last leader, prime minister likely to push for stability but the public is wary of cosying up to Beijing
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will seek to reset relations and boost trade with China during his first official visit to the world’s second-largest economy.
Canada is grappling with a contracting economy, and while Chinese investment would give a boost back home, Trudeau faces public concerns over China’s growing presence in their country and unease over its human rights record, observers say.
Trudeau’s eight-day trip beginning on Tuesday will take him to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Hangzhou for the G20 summit, and comparisons with his father’s own visit to China are expected.
Canada, under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau, was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with modern China, and he toasted premier Zhou Enlai at the Great Hall of the People in October 1973.
But for much of the recent decade, ties have been on less solid ground.
