China, Canada sign cooperation agreements
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China and Canada on 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.
He said Canada is ready to work with China to further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries. He hoped the two countries would maintain high-level contact and further expand practical cooperation and exchanges in various fields, especially in the fields of politics, energy, finance, culture, education and media.
