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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to establish closer relations with China but, citing human rights and governance concerns, won’t rush into a free trade agreement with the superpower.

Trudeau, in an exclusive interview in Vancouver, struck a cautious tone when asked how he will proceed with one of his most delicate foreign policy challenges.

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“I don’t think an FTA is something to rush,” Trudeau said when asked if he hopes to strike a trade deal prior to the end of his first term in 2019.

Trudeau made clear that Canada will need to see improvements in human rights, as well as assurances that Canadian companies operating in China will be treated fairly.

“I think it’s certainly a goal to look towards, but there’s an awful lot of work to do to get towards that, whether it’s on human rights and governance issues, whether it’s on respect for the rule of law around Canadian investments” in China.

“Canada and China have a long and storied relationship that goes back decades, and I certainly hope we’re going to be able to benefit from that friendship.”