Chinese President Hu Jintao begins his trip to Canada on Thursday as scheduled, despite a postponed visit to Washington.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang says Hu Jintao will meet with Canada's Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Prime Minister Paul Martin in Ottawa, and then travel to Toronto to attend the first forum on China-Canada economic and trade cooperation.

The leaders plan to discuss the environment, including climate change, energy, science and technology, investment, trade, human rights and tourism.

The tour to Canada is in preparation to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations. China is Canada's second-largest trading partner after the United States.
He will then travel to Mexico.

After finishing his tour of the two countries, Hu Jintao will attend the United Nations summit in New York, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the world body.

Qin Gang said although the scheduled visit to Washington has been postponed in light of the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, Hu Jintao and United States President George W. Bush have agreed to hold bilateral meeting at the UN summit meeting.

The spokesman adds both sides would exchange views on Sino-US relations, international and regional issues and discuss some concerns about the United Nations.

Early reports said China has promised an offer of US$5 million to the United States to help post-Katrina relief efforts and would Beijing will also send rescue workers to the stricken areas along the US Gulf Coast.

(CRI.com September 7, 2005)