China, Canada pledge closer ties
CANADA: China and Canada Thursday pledged joint efforts to
advance bilateral cooperation in an all-round manner and further promote
their strategic partnership. Chinese President Hu Jintao met separately
with Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen
Harper in Ottawa on a state visit and the two sides signed cooperation
agreements aimed at bringing ties closer.
Talking with Jean, Hu said China and Canada share a long history of
friendly exchanges, have a lot of common interests and enjoy broad
prospects of cooperation.
He suggested both sides join hands to explore trade opportunities,
expand cooperation in a wide range of areas and strengthen coordination
and cooperation on major regional and international issues. Jean said
Canada regards China as a friend and important partner and Hu’s visit
and her upcoming visit to China show the extent of the enduring
friendship between Canada and China.
In talks with Harper, Hu put forward five proposals for further
advancing China-Canada relations, including increasing contact at all
levels, expanding practical cooperation, stepping up cultural and
people-to-people exchanges, enhancing cooperation in global and regional
affairs, and respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns.
Hu proposed that the two countries strive to raise the volume of
two-way trade to 60 billion U.S. dollars by 2015, encourage reciprocal
investment, cooperate in opposing protectionism and properly handle
trade frictions through dialogues and consultations.
Hu said China is willing to step up coordination and cooperation with
Canada on the reform of the United Nations, climate change, nuclear
non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament, international peace-keeping and
global public health.
The two countries should work together to build a harmonious world of
lasting peace and common prosperity.
Harper said that Canada-China relations have become one of the most
important bilateral relations in the world and bilateral relations have
great potential for further growth.
OTTAWA, Friday, Xinhua |
