China is Cuba’s second largest trade partner, with sugar, tourism and biomedical research playing a key role in the island nation’s economy.
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are in Montreal today as part of trade talks between the two countries.
“These back-to-back visits in less than a month show that China-Canada relations are moving to a new stage”, Mr Li told reporters.
Li, the first Chinese head of government to visit Canada in 13 years, arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon, after attending a series of high-level meetings at the United Nations and engaging with a wide spectrum of USA society in NY.
China and Canada have announced the first steps toward the possible creation of a bilateral free-trade agreement. Canada’s Liberal government, which came to power last fall, has pledged to improve dialogue with China, something Mr. Trudeau says Canada’s previous Conservative government failed to cultivate. The development of the bilateral ties is in the interests of both Chinese and Canadian peoples as well as the world’ s peace and stability.
“This last month of strong collaborative engagement represents a new era in the China-Canada relationship”, the Canadian premier said. Their respective foreign ministers will also hold annual talks.
Li is in Montreal to meet with political and business leaders and members of the Chinese-Canadian community, according to Trudeau’s office.
China’s National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, is willing to strengthen the exchange of experience in law-making and rule of law, and facilitate communication with Canada’s Senate and House of Commons to help promote China-Canada relations and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Li said. On Wednesday, just before Li’s plane landed in Ottawa, opposition parties attacked the plan in parliament.
“In the most hard time for China, Dr. Bethune gave selfless support to the Chinese people”, Li said. We are also concerned about recent reports of intimidation of wanted persons in Canada by Chinese state agents.
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“I can tell you firmly that China is endeavoring to build itself into a country of rule of law, based on worldwide law and global norms”, he added.
