China-Canada relations on fast track towards new glorious chapter: Chinese ambassador

During his China tour, Trudeau also announced Canada's decision to apply for membership at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and signed dozens of cooperation deals with China.

"Thirdly, people-to-people and regional exchanges between the two countries are improving," Luo said. The government of the province of Nova Scotia, dubbed the "Atlantic Gateway," recently released its China Engagement Strategy. In an unprecedented move between two provinces, Guangdong Province and the province of British Columbia jointly inked agreements to mutually support the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Pacific Gateway" strategy. The Belt and Road is China's massive initiative to create land and maritime trade routes throughout Asia, parts of Africa and Europe.

Last year, nearly 1.3 million visitors traveled between both countries. The number of Chinese studying in Canada and Canadians studying in China was a combined 150,000. The leaders of the two countries have also announced 2018 as the year of China-Canada Tourism, an agreement which also includes adding seven Canadian visa application centers in China.

Fourthly, the two sides share similar ideas regarding development, Luo said. China's five development concepts, involving innovation, green growth and the Belt and Road Initiative, complement the new Canadian government's plans for innovation, a green economy, assisting Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and expanding infrastructure, which give both sides more opportunities to push forward mutually-beneficial cooperation.

"China-Canada relations have recently moved onto the fast track," Luo said, attributing the improvement to three factors. First, both governments attach great importance to promoting mutual ties. Second, both believe in the need to counter rising protectionism that threatens the global economy. Third, China and Canada continue to witness increasing coordination at the United Nations, the G20 as well as on climate change and elsewhere.

The recent exchanges between China and Canada provide a perfect chance to boost bilateral trade, advance free-trade negotiations and strengthen coordination in global governance, said Luo. "I'm confident we will witness a glorious chapter once again in China-Canada relations."