Xue Bing, China's consul general in Toronto

Q: As consul general for China based in Canada's largest business city of Toronto, what issues would you like to see be given priority attention?

A: I am very honored to work with friends from all walks of life in Toronto and Ontario to further strengthen our relations. As you may recall, Toronto became the first offshore RMB center in North America last March. This showcases not only the achievement of a concerted effort from both sides, but also the significant role Toronto plays in linking our two economies.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. The bilateral relations are facing new opportunities, and local business communities are eager to do more business with China. There will be great potential for growth in trade if a free trade agreement can be reached between China and Canada in the near future.

Science and technology is another important area that can yield fruitful results through strengthened cooperation. In terms of investment cooperation, both countries need to create a more business friendly environment to attract and encourage mutual investment. And Canada is always welcome to take part in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and explore industrial cooperation for common development with China in third party market. In addition, cultural and people-to-people exchanges also need to be enhanced.

Q: China attaches great importance to the friendly exchanges with Ontario, which is Canada's most economically advanced province. How could cooperation be strengthened?

A: Ontario plays a pioneering role in developing relations with China. In the first eight months of this year, trade volume between China and Ontario reached C$26.5 billion, an increase of 16.4 percent compared with the same period last year. The volume accounted for 48 percent of the total China-Canada trade.

In November, Premier Kathleen Wynne paid a successful visit to China, and brought back C$2.5 billion in investment that will create 1,700 jobs. It is in the best interest of both China and Ontario to further strengthen exchanges and win-win cooperation in more areas.

Ontario has also established a commercial technology transfer center in Jiangsu, and I hope more joint research and development programs will be carried out by both sides in such areas as clean and renewable energy, life science and nanotechnology.

The consulate general will spare no effort in continuing to work with the Ontario government for these common endeavors.