1st LD: Premier Li says China, Canada begin exploratory talks on free trade agreement

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that China and Canada have embarked on exploratory talks for a potential free trade agreement.

Li made the remarks when meeting with journalists together with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau after the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of a series of bilateral cooperation documents.

"We have reached many new consensuses in economic and trade area," said Li, adding that China is willing to import frozen beef from Canada and the two sides have reached an agreement on Canada's canola exports to China.

Li also said that the two sides discussed cooperation in finance, tourism, law enforcement, as well as between their local governments.

"The exchange of visits within one month showed that China-Canada relations are entering a new stage," said Li who referred to Trudeau's recent official visit to China, adding that "it's rare in the bilateral ties, and conforms to the interests of both countries as well as the expectations of the international community."

The Chinese premier said they agreed that the two countries share broad common interests and sound cooperation, and the development of the bilateral ties is in the interests of the two peoples as well as global peace and stability.

"We have decided to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in multiple mechanisms, and agreed to establish high-level financial dialogue mechanism, and annual meeting mechanism between the foreign ministers of the two nations," Li said. Endi