Canada-China reset could revive education and cultural exchanges, experts say

Canada's recent agreement with China and the leaders' meeting in Beijing have created new momentum for people-to-people exchanges, including education and cultural cooperation, experts said.

Canada's recent agreement with China could help reset bilateral ties and create new momentum for education and cultural exchanges, said Marc Jerry, president and vice-chancellor of Renison University College at the University of Waterloo.

"It is a very significant moment in resetting Canada-China relations in a positive way," Jerry said, calling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China "extremely" important, as it marked his first visit to China as prime minister.

Jerry said the renewed engagement sends a clear signal beyond trade. "The prime minister's visit indicates to China that Canada is serious and willing to partner together," he told China Daily.

He pointed to Renison University College's experience with student programs in China as an example of how exchanges can deepen mutual understanding, citing a study program that brought Canadian students to China in the fall of 2025.

"There was great excitement about how this type of activity promotes learning across cultures and as well as supporting globalization, peace and co-operation," he said.

Jerry said first-hand student experiences show the long-term value of such exchanges.

Quoting a student who participated in a Fall 2025 program in Beijing, he said: "I came back home with a completely unique perspective on China; my experience was wonderful, and I want to go back and travel there more than ever!"

Beyond official diplomacy, there has also been a pickup in people-to-people exchanges, including business delegations, academic contacts and cultural exchanges, said Jeff Mahon, former deputy director of the China division at Global Affairs Canada.

"People-to-people exchanges is what engagement is all about," Mahon said. "Governments build the bridge, but it is the people and businesses that use it."

Jiang Wenran, founding director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, said the broader reset in bilateral relations could ease the environment for academic cooperation.

"With the overall reset of bilateral relations, academic cooperation is expected to be re-evaluated in a more relaxed environment," he told China Daily.

However, Jiang said that normalization would take time.

"Complete normalization might take time, particularly in sensitive high-technology research areas," he said, adding that "a full resurgence of extensive research collaboration will likely require building trust through progressive steps."

The renewed emphasis on people-to-people ties was reflected in the joint statement released after the Canada-China leaders' meeting, in which both sides agreed that such exchanges form the foundation of the bilateral relationship.

The two governments committed to restarting the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture and strengthening cooperation in areas including education, arts, heritage, creative industries and sub-national exchanges.

In a statement released by the Canadian government on Friday, both leaders also recognized that long-standing people-to-people ties have been foundational to Canada-China relations, with Carney welcoming enhanced cooperation in culture, tourism and education.

Jerry said he hopes improved bilateral relations will lead to more academic mobility.

"I am looking forward to returning to China again at a future date with more students to continue to experience all the wonder and culture China has to offer and to help promote friendship between our nations," he said.

Jerry said that the outcome of the recent trade talks could spill over into education and people-to-people exchanges.

"I am especially hopeful that the talks will generate additional opportunities for trade missions and educational exchanges," he said.

As a university leader, Jerry said educational cooperation should remain a core pillar of the relationship.

"I am motivated to continue to support positive relations between Canada and China, to engage in education through language and cultural exchanges," he said.

gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com