Canada hopes to strengthen overall bilateral relationship with China and realize the great commercial potential that exists between the two countries, Canadian International Trade Minister David Emerson said on Thursday.

"Utmostly I would like to see a very strong framework for Chinese and Canadians to invest in both countries," Emerson told Xinhua on Thursday in a telephone interview before departing on a visit to China on Jan. 14-19.

"I would like to see more openness in trade, in opening up our markets, to encourage more Canadian companies to participate in China and more Chinese companies invest in Canada," he said.

Emerson, who is also minister of the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, said the potential of trade and cooperation between China and Canada is far from being realized, partly because Canada has been "overly focused on the U.S. market ever since we inked the North American Free Trade Agreement."

But Canadian companies are starting to turn their attention to other markets including China, the minister said, while calling on both countries to deepen relationship and friendship, and build up stronger economic ties.

As for the overall China-Canada ties, the minister said, "The relationship between Canada and China runs very very deep, approximately for a few hundred years."

He said he is very optimistic that China and Canada will build a positive and growing relationship, as there is a strong interest on both sides.

"Canada must act now to ensure it remains one of China's top choices for trade and investment," he said.

The minister, who has been to China for three times since 1993 and impressed with the "remarkable technological and economical revolution" there, will lead two delegations to three Chinese cities -- Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

He will meet with Chinese officials with a view to strengthening Canada's overall bilateral commercial relationship with China, signing a Science and Technology (S&T) Agreement, showcasing Canadian expertise in certain strategic sectors and promoting Canada as the best gateway between Asia and North America, according to a statement.

The S&T business delegation will highlight Canadian green energy technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and biogas. While the other business delegation consisting of figures mainly from the transportation and logistical services sector will promote the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

The initiative, worked out in recent years by the Canadian government, is an integrated set of investment and policy measures focused on trade with the Asia-Pacific region. Its mission is to "establish Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia."

During the trip, the minister will also visit the sites of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Source: Xinhua