At the G20 summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chastised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for leaking details of a previous meeting, during which Trudeau expressed concern about Chinese interference in domestic affairs.
The two had a brief encounter at an event in Indonesia that was captured on video by news outlets. As the two spoke, a television camera was pointed directly at a Chinese interpreter.
“Everything we discussed has been leaked to the press; that is not appropriate,” Xi said through an interpreter to Trudeau. “And that’s not… how the conversation was conducted if you’re sincere,” Xi said, to which Trudeau interrupted and stepped toward Xi.
“We believe in free, open, and frank dialogue in Canada, and that is what we will continue to have,” Trudeau said. “We will continue to strive to collaborate constructively, but there will be points where we disagree.”
As Trudeau responded, Xi looked around.
“First, let us create the conditions,” Xi said through the interpreter.
Following their brief encounter, the two shook hands.
Trudeau met with Xi for the first time last Tuesday at the G-20 summit.
According to a senior Canadian government official, the two discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea and climate change, and Trudeau expressed “our serious concerns about interference activities in Canada.”
The official requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.
When asked about the confrontation later at a news conference, Trudeau said, “Not every conversation is always going to be easy, but it’s extremely important that we continue to stand up for what’s important for Canadians.”
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also discussed Chinese meddling with her Chinese counterpart at the G-20 meeting.
Joly noted last week that China is becoming a more disruptive global power and warned businesses against deepening their ties, citing “geopolitical risks.”
On Monday, police in Canada charged a Hydro-Québec employee with espionage for allegedly sending trade secrets to China. In addition, Beijing’s relations with Ottawa deteriorated after Canadian authorities arrested a top executive from the Chinese tech giant Huawei who had been charged with fraud in the United States.
China imprisoned two Canadians shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei Technologies’ chief financial officer and the company’s founder’s daughter, on an extradition request from the United States. They were returned to Canada on the same day Meng returned to China after reaching an agreement with US authorities in her case last year.
Many countries referred to China’s actions as “hostage politics,” while China has described the charges against Huawei and Meng as a politically motivated attempt to stifle China’s economic and technological development.
Canada has barred wireless carriers from using Huawei equipment in its high-speed 5G networks, joining other allies in rejecting the company, which closely ties to the ruling Communist Party and its military wing, the People’s Liberation Army.
Former Canadian ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques believes Xi purposefully berated Trudeau in front of the camera.
“When you look at him, he has a red face and is moving his arms,” Saint-Jacques explained. “He appears agitated. He was upset with Trudeau for leaking the meeting’s details to the press. Interestingly, he said it wasn’t the way the meeting went.”
Saint-Jacques also observed that Trudeau interrupted Xi’s translation, which irritated Xi.
“The prime minister wanted to respond but knew he wouldn’t have time after Xi delivered his tirade,” Saint-Jacques said. “It’s clear that Xi has little respect for the Prime Minister.” It demonstrates how difficult it will be to reestablish limited dialogue with China.”
According to Saint-Jacques, Xi likely wanted to send a message to Trudeau that Canada would not dictate the terms of the relationship and that Trudeau should pay attention.
According to the former ambassador, Xi said, “You have to smarten up if you want to maintain any kind of relationship with us.”
“It’s unusual to see Xi Jinping engage in this type of public exercise to criticize someone,” Saint-Jacques added.
