OTTAWA - China and Canada issued a joint statement here Friday during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's ongoing visit to the North American country.

The full text of the document is as follows:

Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and Canada

Ottawa, 23 September 2016

At the invitation of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China is paying an official visit to Canada from September 21 to 24, 2016, with a view to further building a strong and stable foundation for the China-Canada relationship. While in Ottawa, Premier Li Keqiang met with His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, held talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, inaugurating the Annual Dialogue between the Premier of China and the Prime Minister of Canada, and had meetings with the Honourable George Furey, Speaker of the Senate and the Honourable Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons. Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also attended the 6th China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Montreal.

Both sides spoke highly of the recent official visit to China by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and agreed to take further actions to open a new chapter in the China-Canada strategic partnership. The two sides believed that the back-to-back visits by the two Leaders demonstrate a renewed commitment for a growing relationship. Recalling their conversations in Beijing, Premier Li and Prime Minister Trudeau reflected on the important development of China-Canada relations during the past 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and agreed to strengthen engagement between China and Canada in order to foster greater economic and social benefits for both countries and to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Both sides agreed the Leaders of the two countries should keep in close contact through bilateral visits, meetings on multilateral occasions, and telephone conversations as well as correspondence, to strengthen communication on important issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to make full use of existing high-level dialogues and consultation mechanisms, and recognized the importance of regular, respectful and frank discussions on both opportunities and challenges as part of a robust and comprehensive bilateral relationship. Frequent dialogue not only promotes new areas for growth and deepened cooperation, but creates new avenues to promote common understanding on issues such as human rights and rule of law. Both sides agreed to take vigorous measures to expand trade by committing to creating a fair, transparent and welcoming business environment. They also agreed to promote practical cooperation in the areas of agriculture, energy, manufacturing, financial services and infrastructure. The two countries stressed the importance of two-way investment as a means of growth and job creation, while committing to encourage innovation, science and technology collaboration of mutual benefit.

Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on judicial affairs and law enforcement, as well as explore options for further engagement on counter-terrorism, cyber security and cybercrime. Both sides also agreed to strengthen military-to-military interactions and explore ways to conduct more joint exercises and training.

In recognizing the importance of connecting citizens from the two countries, both sides agreed to expand people-to-people ties and deepen cooperation in the areas of culture, education and tourism. In anticipation of Canada's 150th anniversary, both sides will celebrate their shared history, encourage greater exchanges between peoples, and expand cultural and sports cooperation. Both sides committed to raise the number of mutual visits and promote two-way student exchanges, for the purpose of which the two sides will further streamline visa application processing.

As both countries committed during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Hangzhou, both sides are determined to foster an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to usher in a new era of global growth and sustainable development.

Both sides agreed that it is in their common interest to expand cooperation on regional and global issues. On this, both sides decided to expand communication and cooperation in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, ASEAN Regional Forum and others. They reaffirmed their continued commitment to address climate change, support UN peacekeeping, and to find new means to cooperate on international development, global health and the empowerment of women and children. The Chinese side welcomes Canada's application for joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and looks forward to close cooperation with Canada in the AIIB.