Chinese Consul General in Calgary Zhao Liying Publishes a Byline Article Titled Enhancing Alignment of Development Strategies for a New Chapter of China–Canada Cooperation

On December 12, 2025, Consul General Mme. Zhao Liying published a byline article titled Enhancing Alignment of Development Strategies for a New Chapter of China-Canada Cooperation on the Yellowknifer. The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, as well as the 20th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mark Carney reached important consensuses on improving and developing China-Canada relations during their meeting in South Korea. This signaled that, after a period of twists and turns, our bilateral relations have returned to the right track. Prime Minister Carney called it a "turning point" in the relationship.

Recently, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted the recommendations for China's "15th Five-Year Plan", laying out a blueprint for the country's economic and social development over the next five years. At the same time, the Canadian federal government released its new budget, while Alberta, Saskatchewan, and other provinces delivered their throne speeches, outlining future priorities and key initiatives. Guided by the strategic vision of our leaders, we could deepen the alignment of our development strategies, support each other's growth, and open a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation.

1. Complementarity fosters collaboration

China and Canada differ greatly in resource endowments but enjoy strong economic complementarity. The Canadian federal government aims to build an energy superpower and diversify its trade, with the goal of doubling exports to non-U.S. markets within the next decade. China imports nearly 20 trillion RMB annually, and is the world's largest consumer and importer of energy, with a middle-income population exceeding 400 million. China's vast and dynamic market presents tremendous opportunities for the western provinces of Canada. Alberta's abundant oil and natural gas, along with Saskatchewan's potash and agricultural products, are in strong demand in China. Our two  sides have every reason to build a stable and resilient partnership.

2. Openness Achieves Win-Win Results

Despite headwinds against globalization, China remains committed to high-level opening-up. The negative list for foreign investment has been reduced from 93 to 29 items, fully lifting access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, and pilot programs to open up service industries are progressing steadily. China has expanded its unilateral visa-free "circle of friends" to 48 countries and now offers 240-hour visa-free transit to 55 countries, including Canada. China grants zero-tariff treatment on all tariff lines to every least-developed country with which it has diplomatic relations, sharing the benefits of its development with the world. We welcome Canadian companies to invest in China and make full use of these favorable policies. We welcome high-quality Canadian products to be showcased at platforms such as the China International Import Expo. And we welcome Canadian friends to visit China for business, cultural exchange, or travel under the visa-free arrangements.

3. Innovation Drives Development

China's 15th Five-Year Plan recommendations set a top priority for high-quality growth, with technological innovation as the core engine. China is accelerating the development of a new energy system and advancing technological innovations in hydrogen, energy storage, and carbon capture. In 2024, China's AI sector has exceeded RMB 600 billion, supported by world-leading computing power and applications across 95% of industrial categories. These trends align closely with the priorities of Western Canada. Alberta is strengthening its energy and AI sectors and investing vigorously in hydrogen energy and carbon capture technologies. From smart grids to green hydrogen, and from AI-powered industrial transformation to big-data applications, there are great potentials for cooperation between China and Canada in energy transition, industrial upgrading and technological innovation.

An open and inclusive China is engaging the world with a spirit of cooperation and shared success. We look forward to China and Canada drawing on their respective strengths, deepening alignment of development strategies, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, education, culture, tourism, and infrastructure. Together, we can continue to enrich our strategic partnership and deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.