This iteration of China doesn't like anything that messes with stability, but I doubt Xi was so offended on our behalf he feels the need to come to the rescue.

My best theory is that it's a way to win over Canada without putting anything economic or political on the line.

Edit: Authoritarian places usually love visas for everything, but not China apparently. NZ, Australia and several continental European countries are visa-free already. So, this is just moving us out of the "actively antagonistic" tier.