Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed on Thursday that the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a brief conversation during the G20 summit, stressing that mutual respect is the foundation of relations between countries and Canada should seek common ground while managing differences and create conditions for the improvement of China-Canada ties. 

In response to questions regarding the matter at the regular press conference on Thursday, Mao said the two leaders had a short conversation, which is normal. She said the two sides expressed their positions, dismissing interpretations otherwise.   

China has never interfered in other countries' internal affairs and opposes any country interfering in other countries' internal affairs, Mao said. The reasons for the difficulties facing China-Canada relations in recent years are very clear, and the responsibility does not lie with China, she noted. 

"Mutual respect is the foundation of state-to-state relations. Canada should uphold the spirit of seeking common ground while managing differences, and create conditions for the improvement of China-Canada relations through concrete actions," she said. 

There's no problem for candid dialogue. But we hope that such candid conversation is based on equality and mutual respect, not blaming the other in a condescending manner, the spokesperson said. 

The comments were made when asked about the short conversation between Xi and Trudeau during the G20 summit. The Global Times learned on Wednesday from a source at the scene that during the welcoming ceremony of the G20 Leaders' Summit, Trudeau took the initiative to approach Xi to chat, but the conversation between the two leaders was very short. 

Trudeau expressed the hope to Xi that he would like to have the opportunity to talk about the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, Canada-China relations, biodiversity and other issues while Xi responded that the key requirement for China-Canada relations is finding a common ground while managing differences, according to the source. 

When this principle is implemented, bilateral relations will further develop, Xi told Trudeau.