Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian delegation (L) sit down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese delegation at the start of a meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 31, 2025. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
Commentary
After the Liberal government defined Canada’s relationship with China as a strategic alliance, the prime minister’s visit to Beijing inevitably carried more weight. This was not simply a matter of timing or protocol. It reflected a decision about how Canada wishes to navigate a more contested international landscape. Choices of this kind extend beyond trade or messaging, and when a NATO member edges closer to an authoritarian system, allies recalibrate while competitors probe for advantage.
