Hu arrived in Ottawa late Wednesday local time. His visit will be the first paid by a Chinese president since Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party took power in 2006.

Hu's visit is the first in five years as the bilateral ties became strained after the Harper government's constant criticism about China's democratic ideology. After the financial meltdown, the Harper administration's tone softened slightly, asserting that "new global realities demand a modernized Canada-China relationship" and it began to downplay rights-related issues.

Harper paid his first official visit to China last December. The visit, though described as "too late" by his critics, managed to warm up the bilateral relations from "ice" to "cool".

Together with her family, Canadian Governor-General Michalle Jean welcomed Hu on Thursday morning local time.

"Your visit to our country and our upcoming visit to yours show the extent of the enduring friendship that has existed between Canada and China," Michalle said at a welcoming banquet for President Hu. "We hope that these visits will give rise to even more opportunities for exchanges between the two countries."

Canada regards China as a friend and an important partner, the governor-general said, adding that it has been a pride for Canadians to achieve such huge progress in developing bilateral relations in the past 40 years.

The governor-general earlier mentioned that "shortly after the president of China's State visit, my family and I will be making a visit to China. This will give me an opportunity to continue the discussion with President Hu that I began here, and to strengthen the important, historical ties that unite our two countries."

China and Canada share lots of common interests and wide cooperation potentials in handling key world and regional issues, Hu said at the banquet.

China has always attached importance to Sino-Canadian relations, Hu said, adding that he is looking forward to exchanging views with Canadian leaders and meeting people from all circles during his visit here.

In a written statement delivered upon arrival, Hu said China stands ready to work with Canada and use the 40th anniversary as an opportunity to further expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and push forward the China-Canada strategic partnership.

"Under the current international situation, China and Canada share broad common interests and vast potential for cooperation in many areas, ranging from developing individual economies and promoting world economic growth to helping to resolve regional hotspot issues and jointly meeting the various global challenges," said Hu.

Hu's visit "will improve the political relations", but not completely heal the rift caused by Harper's outspoken criticism of China's human rights record and his official meeting with the Dalai Lama, said Jin Canrong, a professor at Beijing-based Renmin University of China's school of international studies, in an interview with the Montreal Gazette.

Categorizing the current relations as still "relatively cold", Jin predicted: "President Hu Jintao's visit will make the Chinese government attach more importance to Sino-Canada relations and exchanges between the two governments will warm up, striking a balance with the economic relations."

China Daily

(China Daily 06/25/2010 page3)