China’s Ministry of National Defence says Ottawa and Beijing have reopened military talks, spurring concern from China watchers in Canada.
Beijing says the two sides held the fifth China-Canada Defence Coordination Dialogue on Sept. 4 in Canada. The last time such an event was held was in April 2018 in China, before Ottawa-Beijing relations soured over Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition request in December 2018, and China’s subsequent detention of Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
“The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, expressed willingness to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, and enhanced mutual understanding and trust,” the Chinese Ministry of National Defence said on Sept. 5….