“We are heartened by the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and the speed with which our relationship has progressed in recent months,” Carney said.

“This sets the stage for these important discussions on a wide range of issues where we can be strategic partners, from energy to agriculture, to people-to-people ties, to multilateralism, to issues on security,” he added, before saying: “I believe the progress we have made and the partnership sets us up well for the new world order.”

Carney’s phrasing quickly became a focus of debate in Canada, as he continues to face questions about balancing economic engagement with Beijing against long-standing Canadian concerns over national security and foreign interference.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who joined the delegation and sat next to Carney during the roundtable, appeared visibly surprised at the “new world order” remark, according to observers travelling with the Canadian press pool.

The comments came the same day Canadian media reported that some members of the press travelling with the delegation were required to carry “burner phones” while in China due to concerns about electronic surveillance.