Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien reaffirmed a strong and enduring ties with China during his 10-day trip to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, a Canadian government statement said Monday in Ottowa.

Chretien praised the smooth development in bilateral ties and broad prospects for cooperation after signing three agreements Sunday in China.

"Since Canada and China established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago, our two countries have built a strong and enduring relationship that goes far beyond business links," the prime minister said in the government statement.

"The agreements signed today broaden cooperation between Canada and China in such important areas as climate change, energy, legal reform and education," he said.

This is Chretien's fourth and second Team Canada trip to China since he became prime minister in 1993. A number of other cooperative documents are expected during his visit on February 9- 18.

Up to 600 businesses join the on-going Team Canada mission to China, the country's largest ever to a foreign country, according to Canadian officials.

(People's Daily 02/13/2001)