China's foreign ministry said Chinese President Xi Jinping was not criticising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a day after Mr Xi was seen confronting his counterpart at the G20 summit over alleged leaks from a meeting they held.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular media briefing that Beijing supports having frank exchanges as long as they are held on an equal basis, and said China hopes Canada will take action to improve bilateral ties.
"The video you mentioned was indeed a short conversation both leaders held during the G20 summit. This is very normal.
"I don't think it should be interpreted as Chairman Xi criticising or accusing anyone," Ms Mao said.
'Everything we discussed has been leaked to the papers and that is not appropriate.' China's Xi confronts Canada's Trudeau at G20 | https://t.co/R264m0GrTR pic.twitter.com/BVVt1qycGa
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In video footage published by Canadian broadcasters, a translator for Mr Xi can be heard in the video telling Mr Trudeau that "everything we discussed was leaked to the paper(s), that's not appropriate."
Mr Xi goes on to say, in Mandarin, "if there is sincerity, we can communicate well with mutual respect, otherwise the outcome will not be easy to tell."
The Chinese President's displeasure was likely a reference to media reports that Mr Trudeau brought up "serious concerns" about alleged espionage and Chinese "interference" in Canadian elections when meeting with Mr Xi during his first talk with the Chinese leader in more than three years.
"Firstly, I want to stress that China never interferes in the affairs of other countries," Chinese foreign ministry spokeperson Ms Mao said.
as long as they are held on an equal basis
She did not say whether Mr Trudeau bringing up alleged Chinese interference on Tuesday was the reason behind the recorded exchange between the two leaders the following day.
The video captured a rare candid moment for Mr Xi, whose image is carefully curated by Chinese state media.
Ms Mao also said that Mr Xi telling the Canadian leader "otherwise the outcome will not be easy to tell" was not a threat, as both leaders were engaging in a "normal" exchange and merely "expressing their respective positions".
