HONG KONG: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that ties with Beijing had entered a new era following a charm offensive which saw 56 business deals signed.
Speaking in Hong Kong following a week-long trip to China, where he met President Xi Jinping and attended the Group of 20 summit in Hangzhou, Trudeau said the "hot and cold" nature of relations with Beijing was over and that ties had been "revitalised".
Trudeau said his trip had been about more than signing the deals, which he said were worth more than CAD$ 1.2 billion ($929 million).
"We needed to renew and deepen the relationship between the people of Canada and people of China for the long term and I think it's safe to say we have accomplished just that," Trudeau said at a business lunch in Hong Kong, calling for a "solid framework of engagement" to enhance commercial opportunities.
Canada said last month it would apply to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Trudeau said he had also raised contentious subjects, including issues of rule of law and corruption, but did not say how China had responded.
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