The declaration aims at strengthening efforts to promote trade between Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses and Chinese consumers, and expand the two-way flow of goods.
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“We agreed to conduct feasibility research for a free trade zone as soon as possible and. safeguard trade liberalization and investment facilitation”, he added.
In discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, the Prime Minister explored ways to deepen the mutual understanding between both countries, increase connections between Canadian and Chinese communities, bolster our shared prosperity, and grow Canada’s middle class.
“So I want to be as clear as I possibly can be on this point: China matters to Canada”, he said to applause.
Trudeau’s speech also discussed the vast economic potential for both countries across numerous traditional industries like natural resources, but also in newer sectors like clean technology. Trudeau said Canada and China were working “very closely toward a long-term solution in the coming days and weeks ahead”.
Trudeau said, “Renewing our relationship with China is extremely important for Canada”.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially entered the Marvel universe – and the boxing ring – as a newly minted comic cover star.
Canada announced in Beijing last week that it would apply to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Chinese visitors alone support about 7,400 Canadian jobs.
Trudeau said he brought his children with him to China because he wanted to pass along the “friendship and the openness towards China” that he learned from his father on not only to his children but also future Canadians.
For its part, China has been urging Canada to negotiate a free-trade agreement.
Li also commented on the case of Kevin Garratt, a Canadian citizen who conducted Christian aid work in China for North Koreans and has been detained in China for two years over accusations of spying. During a landmark 1998 visit, Chretien told students at Beijing University that Canadians find it disturbing to “hear of people being harassed or imprisoned for expressing political views different from the government”.
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The state-run Xinhua News Agency published a commentary Tuesday that chided Canada for allowing “groundless” human rights concerns cloud what could be a productive relationship with China – especially since Canada’s own reputation on the treatment of Aboriginal Peoples is less than stellar.
