China and Canada agreed in Ottawa Friday morning on building a
strategic partnership aimed at promoting the long-term and steady
development of bilateral relations.
The agreement on raising China-Canada relationship from a
partnership of all-round cooperation mapped out in 1997 to a
strategic partnership was reached between visiting Chinese
President Hu
Jintao and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin during their
two-hour talks.
Martin said during the talks that the rapid growth of
Canada-China relations has brought pragmatic benefits to the two
peoples and is conducive to safeguarding regional peace and
stability.
Canada expects continuous development of cooperation with China
so as to make the two countries to become all-dimensional strategic
partners, said Martin.
Hu said to enhance Sino-Canadian friendly and cooperative
relations constitutes an important component of the Chinese foreign
policy and the development of bilateral relations boasts a sound
foundation and a good opportunity.
Both sides should push forward all-round cooperation in various
fields covering politics, economy, trade, science, technology,
culture, education, health and environmental protection as the
establishment of such a partnership conforms to the requirements of
the times and aspiration of the two peoples, said Hu.
They should also give full play to bilateral cooperative
mechanisms and strengthen consultations and coordination on major
international and regional issues, the Chinese president said.
He said the two sides should also expand exchanges at various
levels and strengthen consultations and dialogues in various
fields. Meanwhile, both sides should also strive to raise bilateral
trade volume from US$15.5 billion in 2004 to US$30 billion?in
2010.
He suggested that both sides further enhance two-way investment,
set up a long-term and steady partnership for cooperation in energy
resources, promote cultural, educational, scientific, technological
and personnel exchanges, and strengthen communication on major
international and regional issues.
Echoing Hu, Martin said China is playing an increasingly
important role in international affairs and China's development
brings a great opportunity for Canada.
The Canadian government firmly adheres to the one-China policy
and will work with the Chinese side to deepen bilateral cooperation
in politics, economy, trade, science, technology, energy resources,
agriculture and international affairs, said Martin.
After the talks, Hu and Martin witnessed the signing of a series
of cooperative documents between the two sides concerning air
transportation, railways, food security, quarantine, nuclear energy
and health research.
Hu and Martin also gave a press briefing after the signing
ceremony and answered questions from the press on human rights,
Tibet and Taiwan.
Hu said at the briefing that to enhance Sino-Canadian friendly
and cooperative relations constitutes an important component of the
Chinese foreign policy and the Chinese side will work with the
Canadian side to continuously push for new results in the
development of bilateral ties.
Martin said this visit is fruitful and it is of great
significance for the two countries to establish a strategic
partnership.
Hu arrived in the Canadian capital of Ottawa Thursday morning on
a state visit as guest of Canadian Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson.
This is the first visit to Canada by a Chinese head of state in
eight years.
Hu is also scheduled to pay a state visit to Mexico and attend
the UN summit scheduled for September 14-16 in New York.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2005)
