Canadian Finance Minister to visit China over April 1-4, China's finance ministry says

BEIJING, April 1 (Reuters) - China's Finance Ministry said on Wednesday that Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne would visit China this week, a trip his office said aimed to build closer strategic and economic ties.

The finance ministry said the visit would take place from April 1 to April 4.

Champagne's office said in a statement on Monday that the visit would build on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to China in January, the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.

China is Canada's second‑largest single‑country trading partner. Two‑way merchandise trade between the two countries totalled $124.8 billion in 2025.

Champagne will meet government and business leaders to build strategic partnerships and attract new investments, his office said.

Canada offers a stable, predictable environment, and world‑leading opportunities for investment, trade and growth, Champagne posted on his X account on Wednesday.

"I am travelling to the People's Republic of China to re-engage with counterparts, strengthen our economic relationship, and advance priorities on trade and investment," Champagne said.

According to public broadcaster CBC, Champagne said supply‑chain integrity would be part of his talks in China when he was asked on Monday whether he would raise concerns about forced labour, specifically involving Chinese‑made electric vehicles and parts to Canada.

"Let's be very, very clear. We condemn forced labour in all its form everywhere in the world and Canada has been at the forefront," he said.

“The integrity of our supply chain is always something that we bring up in our discussions."