On the evening of June 24, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the welcome banquet hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa and delivered an important speech entitled Comprehensively Push Forward China-Canada Strategic Partnership. He stressed that the development of China and Canada brings important opportunities to each other and both countries enjoy ever increasing common interest and huge potential of cooperation in various fields under new circumstances. A healthy and stable China-Canada relationship with positive development is beneficial to China, to Canada and to Asia and the Pacific and the entire world at large.
Hu pointed out in the speech that leaders of China and Canada, proceeding from the fundamental interest of the two countries and their people and complying with the trend of the times, made the strategic decision of establishing diplomatic ties in October 1970, which opened a new chapter in China-Canada relations. With the joint efforts of both sides, the bilateral relations have gone through an outstanding course of development over the past 40 years.
He stressed that there is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Canada although they have different national conditions. Their common interests far exceed differences. So long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, seeking common ground while putting aside differences and firmly grasp the right direction of bilateral ties, China-Canada relations will become a model of relations between countries with different social systems, development levels and development modes.
He noted that in order to further push forward the development of China-Canada relations the two sides should start from a strategic height and long-term perspective, insist on the general direction of China-Canada strategic partnership unswervingly and constantly inject new vigor into bilateral relations; continue to strengthen high-level contacts and maintain and expand consultations at all levels; continue to advance the pragmatic cooperation in all areas and explore new ways of cooperation; reinforce coordination on major international and regional issues and promote the development of international order towards a more just and reasonable direction; respect and take care of each other’s core interest and major concerns, properly handle sensitive issues and ensure the progress of bilateral relations without interruptions; actively promote the extensive exchanges between all sectors of society of both countries, increase the mutual understanding and friendship between their people and consolidate the social foundation of China-Canada friendship.
He said that economic and trade cooperation is a key component of China-Canada relations. China and Canada enjoy strong economic complementarities and a vast space of cooperation. They should seize opportunities, explore new ideas, adhere to mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, tap the cooperation potential, enrich the content of cooperation, explore new ways of cooperation, expand bilateral trade, promote mutual investment, deepen energy and resource cooperation, seek new areas of cooperation, oppose all forms of protectionism and push forward the development of economic and trade cooperation to a larger scale, wider range and higher level.
He emphasized that China, as a responsible member of the international community, is willing to continue to take an active part in international cooperation, properly tackle various risks and challenges and contribute more to realizing the complete recovery of world economy. China expects to maintain close coordination and cooperation with all countries including Canada and make joint efforts to promote pragmatic and positive outcome of the upcoming fourth G20 summit.
He finally said let’s join hands together, continue to raise the sail of friendship and cooperation and steer the ship of China-Canada relations in the direction of a better future.
Harper said in his speech that Canada-China relations have developed constantly since President Hu visited Canada in 2005. The bilateral cooperation in all areas has been strengthened further. The two sides signed cooperation agreements covering economy and trade, tourism, environmental protection, law enforcement and energy. China has become Canada’s second largest trade partner. The two countries enjoy complementarities in terms of energy, resources and clean energy technology and a huge potential of cooperation. The official signing of Canada-China tourism destination agreement witnessed a new starting point of bilateral ties. Canada and China have played an important role of boosting their own economic growth and the growth of world economy as well. Canada is willing to cooperate with China to build stronger Canada-China relations.
Peter Kruyt, Chairman of the Canada China Business Council and Wan Jifei, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade also addressed the banquet. There were over 500 delegates, including government officials and business personnel of China and Canada attending the banquet.
Wang Qishan, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo were also present at the banquet.