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China to expand relations with Canada: Hu
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-09 06:50
OTTAWA (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao said he aimed to expand relations between China and "the country of maple leaves" when he met with Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson on the first day of a landmark trip to North America.
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| Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing arrive with Royal Canadian Mounted Police outriders at Rideau Hall, the official residence of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005. [AP] |
"China is the most populous developing country in the world, while Canada is the largest developed country in terms of land mass," he said.
"The two economies are highly complimentary to one another and there's vast potential for our mutually beneficial cooperation," Hu said on the 35th anniversary of Sino-Canadian diplomatic relations.
Hu arrived with his wife at Government House, home to Canada's head of state for 140 years, in a horse-drawn carriage. The couple was greeted by Clarkson and her husband, an honour guard, a military band and a 21-gun salute as rain clouds receded.
"There is a very good opportunity for the furtherance of the China-Canada relationship," he said, echoing earlier comments by Canadian officials eager to expand bilateral trade and investment.
"We stand ready to seize the opportunity, expand our cooperation and work together to usher in a more beautiful tomorrow for the partnership," Hu said, particularly in areas of security, energy, science and technology, and education.
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