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!["Renewing our relationship with China is extremely important for Canada," Trudeau said after meeting with Li and Xi in Beijing in early September [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/258245954_8-e1472691457674.jpg)
“Renewing our relationship with China is extremely important for Canada,” Trudeau said after meeting with Li and Xi in Beijing in early September [Xinhua]
Li’s visit to Canada comes two weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, on the sidelines of his participation at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Hangzhou.
On the eve of the G20 Summit, Trudeau highlighted the importance of his country’s ties with China.
“A stronger and deeper relationship with China is essential if we are to achieve our own objectives to create Canadian jobs, to strengthen the middle class, and to grow the Canadian economy,” Trudeau said.
Following his visit to China, Trudeau won a diplomatic coup of sorts when Beijing agreed to Ottawa’s requests to release a Canadian citizen arrested allegedly on suspicion of espionage.
Kevin Garratt was charged with stealing state secrets by Chinese authorities last week and then promptly deported to Canada.
Speaking about his visit to China – and the subsequent release of Garrat, Trudeau told reporters in Montreal Saturday “what we have demonstrated is that there is tremendous potential for a stronger, more stable relationship with China than there has been for Canada in the past”.
During his visit to Ottawa, Li will discuss ways to bolster trade and investment, environmental co-operation – particularly in light of the Paris Climate Change Accors, legal and judicial collaboration, and cultural exchanges.
Li will also visit Montreal to meet with members of the Chinese-Canadian community.
He is also expected to boost economic cooperation with long-time friend Cuba during his visit there in the latter half of September.
Li’s visit, the first official to Cuba by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960, will also focus on the signing of a number of trade agreements regarding technology, renewable energy, industry and environmental protection.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
