CNN
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping was caught by Canadian broadcasters in a rare candid moment on Wednesday, as he was filmed berating his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, over what he called “leaked” discussions.
on the sidelines of the exhibition G20 summit in IndonesiaXi spoke to Trudeau in Mandarin with a smile. But the English translation of what he said was less friendly.
“Everything we discussed has been leaked to the newspapers, and it’s not appropriate,” Xi’s translator said.
Trudeau nodded and Xi spoke again. “That was not the way the conversation went,” said the interpreter.
“If there is sincerity on your part, we will conduct our discussion with an attitude of mutual respect, otherwise there may be unexpected consequences,” Xi told the Canadian leader in Mandarin.
Xi’s interpreter tries to translate what was said, only to get to “if there’s sincerity on your part,” before Trudeau cuts him off.
“In Canada we believe in free, open and frank dialogue,” Trudeau said, adding, “We will continue to work constructively together, but there will be things we will disagree about.”
“Let’s create the conditions first,” said the interpreter on behalf of Xi in the video. Then the Chinese leader shook Trudeau’s hand and walked away with his entourage.
The exchange offers a rare glimpse into how Xi, who was making his public appearance, is doing High choreographerInteract with other leaders.
Not every conversation will be “easy,” Trudeau said Wednesday, in a statement to the press after the exchange.
“But it is very important that we continue to stand up for the things that are important to Canadians. That is something we have always done and will continue to do,” Trudeau said.
Their exchange of views comes as Xi looks to reassert China’s global influence at the summit in Bali after a nearly three-year absence from the world stage.
China’s relations with US allies have deteriorated to varying degrees in recent years, due to heightened geopolitical tensions, disputes over trade and the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Beijing’s growing partnership with Moscow – although Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Xi sought to restore ties at the summit, meeting US President Joe Biden on Monday. He also held official talks with the leaders of Australia, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Senegal, Argentina, Indonesia and South Korea.
Canada No such meeting was granted, and the snub may relate to the two countries’ on-and-off relationship since Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada in 2018. Two Canadians were arrested nine days later in China. was the three Released in 2021.
