On September 28, 2026, Li Chenggang, International Trade Representative of the People’s Republic of China and Vice Minister of Commerce, and Glenn Purves, Deputy Minister for International Trade of Canada, co-chaired the first meeting of the Investment Working Group of the China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Ottawa, Canada. The two sides had candid, pragmatic and constructive exchanges on enhancing investment policy communication, improving investment environment, and two-way investment cooperation.

Li Chenggang said that the meeting between the leaders of the two countries in January this year provided strategic guidance for further progress and development of China-Canada relations, and bilateral economic and trade cooperation has shown positive momentum. Investment cooperation is an important component of bilateral economic and trade relations and a lasting source of impetus for steady and long-term development of China-Canada economic and trade cooperation. China is ready to work with Canada to create a fair, open, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for enterprises of both countries and promote new achievements in bilateral investment cooperation.

Glenn Purves said that Canada attaches great importance to developing economic and trade relations with China and is ready to work with China to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance understanding of each other’s investment environment among businesses from both countries, and promote pragmatic investment cooperation that serves the common interests of both sides. 

 The two sides agreed to give full play to the role of the Investment Working Group mechanism to accumulate practical outcomes for subsequent high-level exchanges between the two countries and the China-Canada Joint Economy and Trade Commission, and promote the sound, steady and sustainable development of China-Canada economic and trade relations. (Released on September 30)