ANKARA

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, on Friday met with his Canadian and Australian counterparts in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to discuss a variety of bilateral and global issues, including the US tariffs, South China Sea, and Ukraine crisis, state media reported.

In a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, Wang said that the US is "abusing" tariffs, undermining the international economic and trade order, and dragging down global economic growth, even imposing high tariffs on small and poor countries, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.

In contrast, he added, Beijing upholds "multilateralism and free trade, actively offering zero tariffs to the least developed countries and promoting the common modernization of all countries by sharing development opportunities."

Noting that the China-Canada relations have experienced "ups and downs" in recent years, Wang said the two countries can become "partners that achieve mutual success."

Wang said the two sides should adopt a "more objective and rational" attitude towards each other and strengthen cooperation with a more positive and open spirit, hoping that Ottawa will provide a favorable business environment for Chinese companies to invest and operate.

In the face of a complex international situation, Wang called for countries to adhere to an international order based on the UN Charter, uphold the principle of equality among nations regardless of size, respect non-interference in internal affairs, and promote peaceful coexistence among countries.

Anand said Canada is willing to maintain contact and engage in open communication with Beijing, adopting a pragmatic and constructive attitude to accelerate the restoration of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including trade, health, and culture.

- Australia committed to pragmatic relationship with China

Wang and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong exchanged views on several issues, including the South China Sea and the Ukraine crisis, with Canberra vowing to develop a "positive and pragmatic" relationship with Beijing.

Wang said that China is ready to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia through a "more proactive approach," saying Beijing is willing to work with Canberra to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, maintain the momentum of improvement in bilateral ties, and properly manage their differences.

For her part, Wong said that Australia is committed to developing a positive and pragmatic relationship with China, noting that her country remains firmly committed to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence."

She said that dialogue and cooperation between Australia and China in trade, tourism, and other fields have continued to make progress, and personnel exchanges have become increasingly active.

*Writing by Aamir Latif