Canada is giving China the cold shoulder over its interest in joining an 11-country Pacific Rim trading bloc that is viewed as an important gateway to diversifying Canadian trade with other Asian countries.

A spokesman for International Trade Minister Mary Ng says Canada is aware of China鈥檚 desire to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership but has yet to have any discussion with the People鈥檚 Republic about that.

Chris Zhou says China will only be permitted entry into the CPTPP if it meets the 鈥渉igh standard鈥� required by member countries.

Canada鈥檚 language on China鈥檚 potential ascension to the pact mirrors the stance taken by Japan鈥檚 new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, after he was sworn into power on Monday.

Trade analysts say Canada should vocally oppose China鈥檚 entry to the trade pact that also includes Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

They say the safe return to Canada of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor gives the federal government more leeway to vocally oppose China joining the pact.

鈥擳he Canadian Press