:5,"name":"Comment","item":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.thestandard.com.hk/comment"}}]}]17:T7f1,

China on Monday congratulated Mark Carney after he won the leadership of Canada's Liberal Party, paving the way for him to become the country's next prime minister.

Carney was overwhelmingly elected by his party on Sunday, but may not be in the post for long as Canada must hold national elections by October.

The 59-year-old steps into the role at a daunting time, as US President Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada and ramps up his expansionist rhetoric against a key American ally.

Beijing's foreign ministry said Monday it had "noted relevant reports and congratulates Mr. Carney" on his election.

"China always maintains that bilateral relations should be developed on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

"We hope that the Canadian side can maintain an objective and rational understanding of China, (and) pursue a positive and pragmatic policy towards China," she said.

Beijing and Ottawa have navigated a turbulent relationship since Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei, in 2018 -- prompting Beijing to arrest two Canadian nationals in retaliation.

And China said Saturday that it would slap tariffs on Canadian products including rapeseed oil and pork, after a Beijing probe into levies imposed by Ottawa on Chinese goods last year.

The Chinese commerce ministry said it would hit imported rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas from Canada with a 100 percent tariff, and imported aquatic products and pork with a 25 percent levy, from March 20.

(AFP)

China congratulates Carney on becoming Canada's next PM