Premier Li Keqiang had a phone conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on June 19. Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

Premier Li said China-Canada relations and bilateral cooperation have gained new momentum in various fields.

He added that the two countries’ economic and financial strategic dialogue has been initiated and the third round of studies on the feasibilities of establishing free trade zones will be held.

Premier Li stated that China is willing to gain mutual respect and advance mutual trust while strengthening the alignment of development strategies.

He also urged the two sides to further promote cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, clean energy, environment and agriculture.

The two sides should forge ahead on the third-party market cooperation and facilitate trade liberalization and investment facilitation, in an effort to further advance bilateral development.

Trudeau said that China-Canada relations have witnessed robust development and cooperation in all sectors and continue to be enhanced. Canada is willing to keep high-level exchanges with China, boost pragmatic cooperation in all sectors, and promote substantial achievements in free trade zones, create cooperation highlights in tourism cooperation, and stay in close touch on international and regional affairs, he added.

When talking about climate change, Premier Li said that China made efforts to take the green, low-carbon, sustainable development path as a large, developing country and a contracting party of the Paris Climate Agreement. China is willing to work together with all parties, including Canada, to uphold the principles of responsibility, the principle of fairness and the principle of their own capabilities to meet the challenges and better implement the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda.

Trudeau said he appreciated China’s stance on the climate change issue and said that Canada is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China.