Thaindian News

Vladivostok, Sep 9 (IANS) Chinese President Hu Jintao met Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in this Russian city Sunday to discuss the development of strategic partnership between their two countries.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which convened in the Russian far-eastern city Saturday and Sunday, reported Xinhua.

Hu said he and Harper reached consensus on a number of major issues at the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.

The Chinese president appreciated Harper’s efforts to promote the Canada-China friendly cooperation in various fields.

Harper said Canada and China have further cemented their trade and economic relations as well as mutual investment after forging the strategic partnership.

The two countries are make an assessment of the complementarity between their two economies, Harper said, adding that a bilateral agreement on foreign investment protection will be inked Sunday.

Following the meeting, the two sides are expected to sign the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, Chinese diplomats said.

China and Canada announced the conclusion of negotiations on the deal in February, when Harper visited China.

The China-Canada relations have made steady progress since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1970. They decided to upgrade their relations to the strategic partnership during Hu’s visit to Canada in September 2005.

The two countries have enlarged cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, energy and resources, education, culture, and law enforcement in recent years.