Trudeau says he raised human rights issues in meeting with Chinese leaders

BEIJING— Canada’s push to launch formal trade talks with China did not stop Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from raising a host of human rights concerns with the country’s No. 2 leader, something he said he would do again when he met with the regime’s President Xi Jinping Tuesday night.

Over the course of a bilateral exchange with Premier Li Keqiang and subsequent dinner on Monday, Trudeau said he voiced Canada’s opposition to the death penalty and pressed Li on the importance of gaining ac- cess to Canadian citizens who face “difficulty in legal situations.”

The prime minister has been under pressure from human rights campaigners to push China on the treatment of at least three Canadians who are jailed in the country. His apparent opposition to China’s use of the death penalty comes after Li defended the practice during his visit to Ottawa last year.

“We can have strong and frank discussions about issues that we see differently without endangering the positive relationship we have,” Tru- deau said.

The prime minister later met with Xi at an official guest house for a private dinner Tuesday evening.

Before their meal, the leaders shook hands and spoke briefly in front of reporters.

“I know that, as we look to building a better future for the entire world, the friendship between Canada and China will play an important role in setting the tone and the approach that will characterize the 21st century,” Trudeau told Xi.