Both sides committed to raise the number of mutual visits and promote two-way student exchanges, for the objective of which the two sides will further streamline visa application processing.
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Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, elected past year, is trying to improve ties and increase trade with the world’s second-largest economy after a decade of rocky relations under his Conservative predecessor, the news agency said.
The Montreal-based Canada-Tibet Committee greeted Li’s appearance in the city with a statement calling for a full human rights impact assessment of any free trade agreement between China and Canada.
“We believe that China and Canada have extensive common interests and good relations”, Li said through an interpreter.
China acknowledges it has sent agents to many countries (reports say that includes Canada) to track down economic fugitives and other suspects, and says it’s had considerable success in getting them back and recovering embezzled funds.
Li arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday. The dispute was an irritant as the two countries seek to broaden trade ties. Trudeau and Li agreed to meet annually to discuss security and the rule of law, and economic and financial matters.
The visit has also addressed the rockier issues with the relationship, including China’s human rights record – it is one of a few countries that employs the death penalty – and domestic opposition to a proposed extradition treaty.
Li said until 2020, China would apply its previous inspection standard on Canadian canola shipments.
He added that what’s more important is to manage their differences, knowing that their common interests far outweigh differences, Li said.
Last month, Li announced that China and Canada had agreed to prepare a feasibility study for a free trade zone between the two countries in the near future.
Chinese and Canadian firms have already signed deals worth more than a billion USA dollars earlier this month at the G20 in Hangzhou, covering everything from seafood to clean technology.
Both candidates have been critical of China’s assertive pursuit of territory in the South China Sea, a potential flashpoint in Asia and a cause of significant friction in relations between Washington and Beijing. Mr Johnston spoke highly of the new progress made in bilateral cooperation during Mr Li’s visit.
Earlier China was concerned about the foreign material spreading a crop disease called blackleg, presently changed its standards beginning Sept 1, before agreeing to continue negotiations with Canada leading up to meetings in Ottawa.
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Chretien said the two sides should strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy, infrastructure construction, clean energy, finance and other fields.
