China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Canada in clean energy, digital technology, modern agriculture, aerospace, and other areas to foster more new drivers of economic growth, Premier Li Qiang said when talking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing on Thursday.
With the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Canada relations took a major turn for the better, which was widely welcomed by all sectors of both countries, Li said, adding that the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties serves the interests of both countries.
Li said President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Carney to further chart the course for the stable and positive development of bilateral relations.
Standing at a new starting point, China stands ready to maintain this strategic partnership with Canada, strengthen dialog and communication, enhance political mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, seek common ground while reserving and resolving differences, and continuously expand pragmatic cooperation, he said.
The Chinese premier pointed out that China and Canada have strong economic complementarity, and broad potential for cooperation.
China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Canada, continue to restore and promote exchanges at all levels and in all fields, promote stable growth in bilateral trade, and enhance trade facilitation, he said. Li said China welcomes more Canadian companies to invest in China and hopes that Canada will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in the country.
Both sides should continue to actively support exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and youth, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, Li said.
He said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Canada within the frameworks of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20, jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, improve global governance, and promote a more just and equitable international order.
Carney said that Canada is one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China and has firmly adhered to the one-China policy since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1970.
Canada is willing to strengthen dialog with China, promote cooperation in economy and trade, energy, people-to-people exchanges and other areas, jointly support the United Nations in playing a central role in global affairs, uphold the multilateral trading system, and defend multilateralism, Carney said.
Following the talks, Li and Carney witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering economy and trade, customs, energy, construction, culture, and public security.
Prior to the talks, Li held a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People to welcome Carney on his official visit to China.
During the welcome ceremony, a military band played the national anthems of Canada and China. Afterwards, Carney, accompanied by Li, inspected the Chinese People's Liberation Army Guard of Honor.
At Li's invitation, Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years.
China willing to strengthen cooperation with Canada: premier
China willing to strengthen cooperation with Canada: premier
