2010-06-25 14:00

China's President Hu Jintao applauds during his speech at a dinner in his honour in Ottawa June 24, 2010. [Agencies]

OTTAWA - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday called for the all-round development of the China-Canada strategic partnership, saying a "sound, stable, positive and growing" relationship served the interests of both countries, the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Though national conditions of China and Canada differ, there exists no conflict of fundamental interests between the two countries, and their common interests far outweigh their differences, Hu said.

"As long as we both adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while reserving differences, as long as we keep to the right direction of bilateral relations, we will make our relationship a model for relations between countries different in social systems and level and mode of development," he said.

Hu, who is currently on a state visit to Canada, put forward proposals in his speech for the promotion of the all-round development of the China-Canada strategic partnership, which was set up in 2005.

The two sides should "take a strategic and long-term perspective, maintain our strategic partnership and inject new impetus into the growth of our relations," "increase high-level exchanges and continue and expand consultations at various levels to increase mutual understanding and trust," and "push forward practical cooperation in all fields and explore new ways and means of cooperation," the president said.

China and Canada should also "intensify coordination on major international and regional issues, enhance consultations and cooperation on climate change, nuclear security, food security, public health security and counterterrorism and contribute our share to a more just and equitable international order," he said.

The two countries should also "respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns and appropriately handle sensitive issues to ensure that our bilateral relations will move forward without disruption," the president stressed.

China and Canada should also "encourage extensive exchanges between various sectors of the two countries and increase the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples with a view to consolidating public support for China-Canada friendship," he added.

The president singled out trade and economic cooperation as a key component of China-Canada relations and made some proposals for the two countries to tap the great potential and bring bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a new level.

The proposals include expanding bilateral trade; promoting two-way investment; deepening cooperation on energy and resources; exploring new areas of cooperation and joining hands in opposing all forms of protectionism.

In regard to the global financial crisis, Hu said that as a responsible member of the international community, China would continue to actively participate in international cooperation, appropriately handle risks and challenges and make greater contribution to the full recovery of the world economy.

China will maintain close coordination and cooperation with Canada and other parties to help bring about positive and practical outcomes at the upcoming fourth G20 summit, he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Harper said in his speech that the strategic partnership between Canada and China had been growing constantly since President Hu's visit to Ottawa in 2005. Bilateral cooperation in all fields has been strengthened and cooperation agreements have been signed in the areas of trade, tourism, environmental protection, law enforcement, energy and others. China has now become Canada's second largest trading partner.

The prime minister said Canada and China both play an important role in promoting the development of each other as well as the global economic growth. The two countries have great potential in economic cooperation, especially in the sectors of resources and energy, notably in the development of clean energy.

The official signing of the agreement on designating Canada as the destination of overseas travel by the Chinese citizens indicated a new starting point in bilateral relations, he said.

Canada is committed to working together with China to build stronger and closer ties, the prime minister concluded.

Earlier in the day, Hu and Harper held talks and reached important consensus on the development of bilateral links and on major global and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, Hu and Harper attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries, including the agreement on designating Canada as the destination of overseas travel by the Chinese citizens.

Hu, who flew to Ottawa Wednesday for a three-day state visit, also met with Governor General Michaelle Jean earlier Thursday.

Following his visit, the Chinese president will attend a G20 summit in Toronto, which is aimed at securing the world economic recovery and addressing the economic challenges and risks.