Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2009.[Xinhua]

 Premier Wen Jiabao expected Harper's visit to turn a new page for China-Canada relations.

"It is not only your first visit to China, but also the first meeting between prime ministers of China and Canada in almost five years," Wen told Harper in their talks later on Thursday.

"It was too long a time for bilateral relations, that was why there were comments in media that the visit was the one that should take place earlier," said Wen.

The Chinese premier recalled his last visit to Canada in 2003,in which he expressed a wish that the two countries would set an example for long-lasting friendly cooperation between countries of different systems and development levels.

Harper agreed that five years' time was too long, calling on both sides to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary to further cement ties.

Harper, who kicked off his visit on Wednesday, was scheduled to meet with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Friday. His China trip will also take him to Shanghai and Hong Kong.