Strengthening ties with China essential: Canadian PM

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that strengthening relationship with China "is essential to growing our middle class and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses."

Trudeau said that he will pay an official visit to China from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6. at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"On this trip, I will strive for a closer, more balanced relationship between Canada and China -- one that unlocks the untapped potential in our two countries' commercial ties, and advances important issues like good governance, the rule of law and the environment," he said in a press release.

The visit to China, which will be the first by Trudeau since he became Canadian prime minister in November, includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong. He is expected to meet Chinese leaders in government, business, and the public at large.

During the visit, Trudeau said he will also participate in the G20 leaders' summit on Sept. 4-5 in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang province.

He said "Canada firmly believes in the work of the G20 and its ability to promote strong, sustainable, and inclusive global growth and prosperity. We place great importance on working with our G20 partners to help address some of the world's most pressing challenges, like climate change, migration, and sustainable development."

Canada welcomes the agenda brought forward by China as this year's G20 host, which encourages members to work together towards an innovative, interconnected, and inclusive world economy, according to the release.

China is Canada's second-largest single-country trading partner.

Trade between the two countries amounted to nearly 85.8 billion Canadian dollars (67.16 billion U.S. dollars) in 2015, a 10.1 percent increase over 2014, and accounted for 8.1 percent of Canada's total merchandise trade, according to Canadian statistics. Endit