Xi-Trudeau conversation was candid, normal, no threats held out, says China

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ China on Thursday played down what appeared to be a tense conversation between President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit a day earlier, saying the conversation is “candid, normal” and should not be interpreted as criticism or threat. In perhaps a very rare open remark captured on television camera, an agitated Xi was seen objecting to Trudeau for apparently leaking to the media whatever they discussed in their earlier meeting.

As the rare video hit global headlines, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has no problem at all with having a candid dialogue with other countries. ”But we hope such a candid dialogue will be based on equal treatment and mutual respect, rather than criticising the other in a condescending manner,” she said, replying to questions on the Xi-Trudeau conversation on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

The conversation was ”quite normal and should not be interpreted as President Xi criticising or blaming anyone,” she said. In his brief meeting with Trudeau in Bali, Xi objected to the Canadian leader saying whatever they discussed in their earlier meeting was leaked to the media. “Everything we discuss has been leaked to the paper, that’s not appropriate,” Xi told Trudeau through a translator.