Xi wasn’t criticizing Trudeau during G20 confrontation, China says

The video with Justin Trudeau on Wednesday captured a rare candid moment for Xi Jinping, whose image is carefully curated by Chinese state media.

China’s foreign ministry on Thursday said Chinese President Xi Jinping was not criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a day after Xi was seen confronting him at the G20 summit over alleged leaks from a meeting they held.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular media briefing that Beijing supports having frank exchanges as long as they are held on an equal basis, and said China hopes Canada will take action to improve bilateral ties.

“The video you mentioned was indeed a short conversation both leaders held during the G20 summit. This is very normal. I don’t think it should be interpreted as Chairman Xi criticizing or accusing anyone,” Mao said.

In video footage published by Canadian broadcasters on Wednesday, a translator for Xi can be heard in the video telling Trudeau that “everything we discussed was leaked to the paper(s), that’s not appropriate.”

Xi himself can be heard saying, in Mandarin, “that is not appropriate, and we didn’t do it that way.”

Xi then goes on to say “if there is sincerity, we can communicate well with mutual respect, otherwise the outcome will not be easy to tell.”

Mao did not answer a question from Reuters on why this short exchange on Wednesday was set up and what Xi meant when he said “that is not appropriate, and we didn’t do it that way.”

Xi’s displeasure was possibly due to media reports, citing government sources that Trudeau brought up “serious concerns” about alleged espionage and Chinese “interference” in Canadian elections when meeting with Xi on Tuesday, Trudeau’s first talks with the Chinese leader in more than three years.