Canada is giving China the cold shoulder over its interest in joining an 11-country Pacific Rim trading bloc that is viewed as an important gateway to diversifying Canadian trade with other Asian countries.

A spokesman for International Trade Minister Mary Ng says Canada is aware of ChinaB次元官网网址檚 desire to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership but has yet to have any discussion with the PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Republic about that.

Chris Zhou says China will only be permitted entry into the CPTPP if it meets the B次元官网网址渉igh standardB次元官网网址� required by member countries.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 language on ChinaB次元官网网址檚 potential ascension to the pact mirrors the stance taken by JapanB次元官网网址檚 new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, after he was sworn into power on Monday.

Trade analysts say Canada should vocally oppose ChinaB次元官网网址檚 entry to the trade pact that also includes Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

They say the safe return to Canada of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor gives the federal government more leeway to vocally oppose China joining the pact.

B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press