The 9th Canada-China Track 2 Dialogue

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The China Institute at the University of Alberta is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 9th Canada-China Track 2 Dialogue, held on April 13 and 14, 2026, in Hefei, Anhui Province, China.

Supported by the governments of both countries, the Canada–China Track 2 Dialogue serves as the premier ongoing mechanism through which renowned scholars and former senior government officials from both sides convene in a closed setting to discuss Canada-China relations, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest, in a manner that encourages candid and constructive exchanges of views.

Co-hosted with the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), the 9th Dialogue featured in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, including:

  • Canada-China bilateral and commercial relations
  • Canada-U.S. relations
  • U.S.-China relations
  • Global issues and emerging middle-power dynamics
  • The current state and trajectory of international institutions

Both delegations left with a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives and expressed their commitment to convening a 10th Dialogue in the near future. A list of participants appears below.

 

Canadian Delegates

  • Professor Philippe Rheault 
    Head of Delegation, Director, The China Institute, University of Alberta

  • The Honourable Anne McLellan 
    Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (2003-2006); Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2003-2006); Minister of Health (2002-2003); Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1997-2002); Minister of Natural Resources (1993-1997)

  • The Honourable John Baird 
    Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011-2015); Minister of the Environment (2010-2011; 2007-2008); Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2008-2010); President of the Treasury Board (2006-2007) 

  • Professor Gordon Houlden
    Director Emeritus, The China Institute, University of Alberta

  • Dr. Yves Tiberghien
    Professor of Political Science and Director Emeritus of the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia; Senior Fellow, The China Institute, University of Alberta

  • Dr. Pascale Massot 
    Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

  • Yujing Yang
    Publication and Communications Specialist, The China Institute, University of Alberta

Canadian Observers

  • Tracy Diehl
    Consul General, the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, China

  • Christopher Loan
    Consul for Political and Economic Affairs, the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, China

 

Chinese Delegates

  • Wu Ken
    Head of Delegation, President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA)

  • Qiu Yuanping
    Former Executive Deputy Director (Minister) of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee

  • Zhang Junsai
    Former Chinese Ambassador to Canada

  • Qin Junfeng
    Director-General of Anhui Provincial Foreign Affairs Office

  • Wu Xinbo
    Dean and Professor, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University 

  • Xu Huaqing
    Chief Scientist of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation

  • Zhou Mi
    Council Member of the CPIFA, Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceanian Studies at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce

 

The China Institute also wishes to extend its gratitude to CPIFA for hosting the 9th Dialogue, for its strong commitment to this mechanism, and for the high-level contributions offered by its delegation.

track 2 delegation photo

 track 2 roundtable