Canada eyes opportunities in China's 12th Five-Year Plan

OTTAWA - Canada is interested in the opportunities presented by China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015)for national development, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said.

Baird made the remarks at a meeting on Friday with Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee's Political Bureau, who is on a four-day visit to Canada.

Li briefed Baird of China's 12th Five-Year Plan, which would guide its national development from 2011 to 2015. He said China is particularly interested in cooperation with Canada in energy, new technology and natural resources, calling for efforts to promote bilateral ties.

"China attaches great importance to bilateral relations. We would like to work together with Canada and strengthen mutual political trust. We would also like to enhance cultural exchanges so as to consolidate basis for bilateral relations," Li said.

Baird said Canada is paying attention to the 12th Five-Year Plan implemented by the Chinese government and believes the plan will bring new opportunities to bilateral cooperation.

"We would like to strengthen cooperation with China in various areas, in particular in trade and economic cooperation," Baird said.

Canada is the second leg of Li's four-country tour. He came to Ottawa from London on Wednesday.