Relationship dossier
Canada
People's Republic of China
Relationship assessment
Major economic ties coexist with sustained political, security and trade disputes.
Canada toward People's Republic of China
-35Canada has pursued trade and diplomatic engagement with China while taking measures critical of Chinese government conduct. In 2021, Canada sanctioned Chinese officials over human-rights abuses in Xinjiang. Canada also excluded Huawei from Canadian 5G networks in 2022. The 2018 arrest of Meng Wanzhou was carried out under a U.S. extradition request and should be understood within that legal process.
People's Republic of China toward Canada
-55China detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor after Meng Wanzhou's arrest; the two were released in 2021, the same day Meng returned to China. China imposed sanctions on Canadian parliamentarians and organizations in 2021 after Canada sanctioned Chinese officials over Xinjiang. Chinese restrictions on Canadian canola and other agricultural imports have also strained relations.
Overall relationship
-40The relationship is shaped by substantial economic links alongside recurring disputes over human rights, security, trade and foreign interference. The detention of Canadian citizens after Meng Wanzhou's arrest, reciprocal sanctions, and restrictions affecting agricultural trade have produced sustained strain, while economic engagement has continued.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Canada-China relations combine substantial economic ties with serious and recurring political and security tensions. Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018 under an extradition process; China detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were released in 2021. Canada later sanctioned Chinese officials over Xinjiang, while China imposed sanctions on Canadian parliamentarians and organizations. Disputes also involve trade restrictions, Huawei and allegations of foreign interference.
Areas of tension
- The detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor following Meng Wanzhou's arrest.
- Canadian sanctions over human-rights abuses in Xinjiang and China's retaliatory sanctions.
- Chinese restrictions affecting Canadian canola and other agricultural exports.
- Canada's exclusion of Huawei from 5G networks and broader security concerns.
- Allegations of Chinese foreign interference in Canada.
Key developments
Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou under a U.S. extradition request; China subsequently detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Canada sanctioned Chinese officials over Xinjiang, and China announced sanctions against Canadian parliamentarians and organizations.
Meng Wanzhou returned to China and Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were released and returned to Canada.
Canada announced that Huawei and ZTE would be excluded from Canadian 5G networks.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and implementation of bilateral cooperation in areas outside the major trade and security disputes are unclear.
- The scope and effects of Chinese foreign-interference activities affecting Canada remain contested.
- The durability of trade restrictions and any subsequent changes to them are unclear.