Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien recently reflected on his role in shaping Canada-China relations, and shared his family's multi-generational commitment to fostering strong bilateral ties.
Chretien spoke to China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing ahead of an official visit to China by incumbent Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that is scheduled for Jan 14 to 17.
The Canadian politician identified his first visit to China in 1994 as the most impactful decision of his premiership concerning Canada-China relations.
"When I came in 1994, you know, I came with a big delegation. You would remember we call it Team Canada. I came with 500 people -- all the premiers of the provinces and business people, university people -- and I came back with Team Canada again when I was prime minister. I quit politics 22 years ago. And I'm coming here almost every year. I'm here today, and I'm happy to be here," he said.
Chretien underscored the importance of dialogue and engagement, a philosophy he has maintained long after leaving office. He also shared his sustained, multi-generational dedication to good Canada-China relationship.
"I was in the cabinet with the government when we recognized China. We did that before United States and many others. We were the one of the first to do that at that time and it was a very important departure. For me, I had a personal reason is that,Canada China Business Council, the president was my son-in-law. And today, the president of Canada China Business Council is my grandson. So I come, it's a family business for us to work for good relations between China and Canada. I believe in dialogue, and I was telling somebody that I've come more often to Beijing in the last 22 years than I've gone to Washington, United States. Because, for me, it is the way that I see things and of course I am involved with my grandson and my son in Canada China Business Council. So I'm very keen to make sure that everything has worked well," he said.
Former Canadian PM shares family mission to promote Canada-China friendship
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia is fully prepared and willing to negotiate with Ukraine at a U.S. military facility in Anchorage, Alaska, while his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting.
Putin noted that Russia is ready to accept those compromises discussed by the Russian and U.S. leaders during their Anchorage meeting last August, but stressed that Ukraine must also consent, and then the conflict will quickly come to a natural conclusion.
Ukraine has previously rejected the Anchorage framework, as it calls for Ukraine to cede territory.
Russia's Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev said at the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday that despite efforts by forces seeking to prolong the war to disrupt talks between Russia and the U.S., bilateral engagement on Ukraine has made substantive progress.
Dmitriev dismissed reports that Russia-U.S. contacts have stalled, accusing other European nations of spreading disinformation to hinder the peace process.
Dmitriev also said that on Wednesday he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and discussed bilateral economic cooperation.
He said the U.S. side had underscored the need to embrace peace rather than engage in constant provocations and confrontations.
The U.S. has been pushing for peace and Ukraine should join the process, Dmitriev noted, adding there were plans for further contacts with Witkoff and Kushner next week.
Later on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Putin, proposing to end the conflict through direct talks between the two leaders.
Relevant parties, including European countries and the U.S., should be part of the peace negotiations, the letter stated.
Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire during the talks and proposes an exchange of prisoners of war on the principle of "all for all," Zelensky also said in the letter.
Russia ready to talk with Ukraine at U.S. military base: Putin
