Chinese FM vows to promote strategic partnership with Canada

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 17, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Manila - China is willing to boost the all-round development of its strategic partnership and strengthen high-level exchanges with Canada, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday.

During a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Stephane Dion, Wang said China stands ready to work with Canada's new government to expand practical cooperation and realize mutual benefits and win-win results.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, arriving here Tuesday for the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, met with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of a just-concluded Group of 20 (G20) summit in Antalya, Turkey, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also held phone talks with Trudeau in late October.

When meeting Trudeau in Antalya, Xi called on China and Canada to build a long-term, healthy and stable strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, Wang said, has charted a course for the future development of China-Canada relations.

Meanwhile, the two peoples have forged a good relationship, and bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas can be further explored, said the Chinese top diplomat.

China, which will host the G20 summit next year, is ready to maintain close communication with all related parties, including Canada, on such issues as climate change and environmental protection, he added.

Dion, for his part, said Trudeau has been committed to promoting bilateral ties with China since the prime minister took office in early November.

Canada would like to deepen cooperation with China in various fields based on such mechanisms as foreign ministers' dialogue and welcomes Chinese enterprises investment in the country, he added.

As to the 2016 G20 summit, he said Canada would support China in hosting the meeting, and keep close communication and coordination with China on climate change and other important international affairs.