Beijing, Jan. 15 -- Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Wednesday signalled a softening in Ottawa's stance towards China, highlighting that the country now operates under a "new government with a new prime minister, a new foreign policy, and a new geopolitical environment."

Responding to a question on whether Canada still views China as a "global disruptive power", Anand emphasised the need to adapt Canada's economic and diplomatic strategies amid shifting global circumstances.

"In this moment of economic stress for our country, it is necessary for us to diversify our trading partners and to grow non-US trade by at least 50 per cent over the next 10 years," she said.

Anand was speaking to reporters in Beijing as part of the Canadi...