Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping received prominent, front-page coverage across China’s state-owned media, but reports largely ignored a newly announced Canada–China trade arrangement.
Articles carried by major outlets—including People’s Daily, China Daily, Global Times and others—repeated a dispatch from state news agency Xinhua featuring photos of the leaders shaking hands and language calling for a “new strategic partnership” and more stable bilateral ties. None mentioned Canada’s agreement to reduce tariffs on a limited number of Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for China lifting duties on Canadian agricultural products.
People’s Daily highlighted Xi’s remarks urging both countries to act responsibly toward “history, people and the world,” and referenced the leaders’ previous meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit as the start of improving relations. Identical headlines, images and text appeared across numerous outlets and on the Chinese government’s official website—a standard practice when Xi meets foreign leaders.
One exception was Guancha.cn, which published commentary suggesting Carney’s visit marked a turning point in relations, contrasting his approach with that of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. The analysis cited tensions since 2018, including the arrest of Meng Wanzhou and the subsequent detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Despite the extensive front-page treatment, coverage of Carney’s visit was notably more subdued than Trudeau’s 2016 trip, which drew widespread attention to his public engagements and cultural appearances. It remains unclear whether Carney has received a Mandarin nickname, a media tradition that accompanied Trudeau’s earlier visit.