China and Canada boost bilateral ties as Trudeau visits Beijing

World Today

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speak during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his official visit to China. Beijing and Ottawa are in talks on a framework for a free-trade agreement. Trudeau will also meet with President Xi Jinping.

CGTN’s Sun Tianyuan has more. 

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This meeting marks another historic moment where the Chinese “super salesman” meets his Canadian counterpart. During the meeting, Li said China will continue opening up to overseas investment and further promote a better business environment.

Trudeau said Canada will push for globalization and free trade with China.

“We’re continuing work towards a comprehensive trade agreement with China, because greater market access for Canadian businesses means stronger business growth and more jobs for the middle class and all those working hard to join it. With China, as with all our trading partners, we’re committed to pursuing progressive trade that benefits everyone,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.

The two agreed to further promote bilateral trade and investment and enhance communications in international and regional affairs.

“We will continue to explore the China-Canada free trade agreement and study its feasibility. We have a quite open attitude towards this, and in other words, China is open to talk on the free trade deal,” Li said.

Li and Trudeau also signed deals in the education, food safety and energy sectors.

According to the Canadian side, trade and tourism are among the major topics. The two sides are likely to see further progress on a possible free trade agreement that started over a year ago.

China is Canada’s second largest trading partner. In the first half of this year, merchandise trade reached $35 billion. Canada’s exports to China have surged 20 percent in the first six months of 2017, reaching $9.5 billion.

Wood, agricultural products, and motor vehicles were among the top shipments. Imports from China have also grown 11 percent to hit $26 billion. For China, a trade deal would open new gateways to the North American market and pave the way for more trade pacts in the future.

Trudeau will travel to Guangzhou in south China to attend the Fortune Global Forum later this week.