A video of Chinese President Xi Jinping accusing Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of leaking their private conversation to papers has gone viral.
Jinping blamed the Canadian leader for behaving inappropriately by leaking details of a confidential conversation between them to the media, CBC Canada reported.
The allegations were made as the two leaders came face to face in a public setting in Bali, Indonesia, where they were attending the G20 conference.
Watch video of Chinese President Xi accusing Justin Trudeau of leaking private conversation to papers
“Everything we discuss has been leaked to the paper; that’s not appropriate,” Xi addressed Trudeau through an interpreter.
“That’s not … the way the conversation was conducted. If there is sincerity on your part—” Xi alleged.
Trudeau immediately interrupted the Chinese president, telling him that even though they differ, they should still collaborate.
“We believe in free and open and frank dialogue and that is what we will continue to have. We will continue to look to work constructively together, but there will be things we will disagree on, and we will have to…” Trudeau told Xi.
“Let’s create the conditions first,” Xi said, before offering his hand to Trudeau and parting ways.
The Cdn Pool cam captured a tough talk between Chinese President Xi & PM Trudeau at the G20 today. In it, Xi express his displeasure that everything discussed yesterday “has been leaked to the paper(s), that’s not appropriate… & that’s not the way the conversation was conducted” pic.twitter.com/Hres3vwf4Q
— Annie Bergeron-Oliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 16, 2022
The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office published a transcript of the conversation following the informal meeting. It outlined the issues that were covered and who proposed them.
Trudeau’s office released details of the conversation to public
The conversation was captured on video by reporters accompanying Trudeau and tweeted by a CTV Nation News journalist.
According to the PM’s office readout, Trudeau expressed concern about media claims that China had secretly supported 11 candidates in the 2019 federal election.
A photograph of the two leaders was also published by the office to commemorate the encounter.
The duo has not been on good terms over trade issues and the arrest and imprisonment of two Canadians.
The readout makes no mention of how Xi responded to any of these topics, merely that the two “emphasized the necessity of continuing communication.”
Trudeau spoke about the informal meeting during his final news conference and stated that his government believes its people wish to know about the efforts he is making for their benefit.
“I won’t shy away from being open with Canadians, even as we discuss important and sometimes delicate subjects,” Trudeau said.
“Getting the balance right between being open about disagreements and issues we raised, while being able to work constructively at the same time. It’s something that people have to understand is what Canadians will always do,” he added.
