Canadian PM speaks highly of economic ties with China

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke highly of bilateral economic relationship with China on Thursday, saying the Canadian government has achieved a lot in doing business and in exchange of people with China.

"China is already Canada's second largest trade partner, and trade between Canada and China has more than doubled" over the past nine years, Harper said in downtown Vancouver at a Canadian-Chinese Economic forum attended by more than 500 local Chinese people.

"In the long run, this relationship can only grow, which is why as prime minister, I have led trade missions to China three times. And I know many of you here would benefit from and can contribute to increased trade relations with China," he added, mentioning the formal launch of Renminbi (RMB) trading harbor in Toronto in March.

He noted that under the leadership of his Conservative Party, Canada has received and approved destination status from the Chinese government, witnessing a four-fold increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting this country over the past nine years.

His government has introduced a popular and flexible 10-year super visa for parents and grandparents of the immigrants, he said. Currently, there are million-plus Canadian Chinese in the North American country.

The prime minister also lauded the contributions made to Canada by Canadian Chinese in various areas such as business, academia, mathematics, medicine, sport and science.

Harper is touring major cities in the country campaigning for a general election, which is set on Oct. 19. Currently the three major parties, the Conservative, the Liberal and the New Democratic Party, are on a tight race. Endi