On August 11, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in the Foreign Ministry with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs David Emerson, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8.

Yang welcomed Emerson to head the Canadian government delegation to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and thanked the Canadian government and people from all walks of life for their aid after the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province in May. Yang said China and Canada share broad and important common interest and to develop sound bilateral ties conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. He hoped that both sides will make joint efforts to push for improvement and development of bilateral ties.

Describing the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games as magnificent and spectacular, Emerson wished the games a great success. He said Canada attaches importance to ties with China and is ready to work with China to advance bilateral political, economic and trade relations. Emerson reaffirmed the Canadian government's firm adherence to the one-China policy on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet.