Chinese senior official proposes energy cooperation with Canada

Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan proposed on Friday to enhance cooperation with Canada in broad sectors ranging from energy and natural resources to agriculture and investment.

Zeng made four proposals on furthering Sino-Canadian trade and economic ties at a banquet hosted by Canada-China Business Council for visiting Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

"Sino-Canadian economic and trade ties surged in recent years and cooperation fields expanded constantly," Zeng said.

China is rich in labor force and market potential, as well as having a growing demand for agricultural products, energy, mineral products and equipment. While Canada enjoys abundant energy and natural resources and a technology advantage.

"Those factors posed new business opportunities for Sino-Canadian cooperation," Zeng said.

Zeng suggested that the two countries promote two-way investment and technological cooperation, share advantage and jointly develop competitive products in the industries of environmental protection, transportation, telecommunication and electronic and machinery products.

The vice premier also urged the two governments to facilitate cooperation between the two countries' small and medium-sized enterprises and help them to build up long-term and stable partnership.

Martin said that China became Canada's second largest trade partner in 2003 and the two sides can deepen cooperation in fields such as energy, financial service, environmental protection and telecommunication.

The two sides have a strong desire to further bilateral ties and Canada will strive to speed up all-round cooperation, he noted.

Martin arrived in Beijing on Thursday for an official visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He visited a Beijing public transport company Friday afternoon and was scheduled to left Beijing for Hong Kong on Saturday.

Source: Xinhua