Canadians hope PM Harper's China trip will fuel energy ties

BEIJING - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will officially kick off his three-city China trip on Wednesday, as Ottawa seeks to beef up relations with its second-largest trade partner after the United States amid economic downturns in its traditional allies.

Harper arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night and will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday.

Presidents of several key Canadian oil and gas companies are traveling with Harper on this trip, which many in Canada expect will boost oil exports from the North American nation to China.