China, Canada announce co-op agreements

Updated: 2014-11-09 21:59

(Xinhua)

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BEIJING - China and Canada on Sunday published a document listing a series of agreements signed by the two countries during Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's China visit this week, including ones on jointly combating corruption and on Renminbi clearing service.

Harper is in China for a five-day official visit and attending events related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

According to the China-Canada Joint List of Outcomes, Harper has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and top legislator Zhang Dejiang.

Some 20 agreements were signed between the two countries during Harper's visit, the document read, including the establishment of mechanisms of the foreign ministers' annual dialogue and the economic and financial strategic dialogue.

The central banks of the two countries also signed a bilateral currency swap agreement and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish Renminbi clearing arrangements in Canada, in a bid to support the use of local currencies in trade and investment.

Chinese regulators will grant an initial of 50 billion yuan (8.2 billion U.S. dollars) quota of investment to Canadian financial institutions under the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) program, the document read.

A dialogue to study new approaches to enhance energy trade will be set up and an expanded MOU on nuclear cooperation between China and Canada was also signed.

The two countries also agreed to establish new direct air links between Beijing and Calgary, Montreal, and announced increased cooperation in the health sector.

The year 2015-2016 was designated as the Year of People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges between China and Canada, with the two sides agreeing to make their best endeavors to successfully conclude the film co-production treaty by the end of 2015. Negotiations on a television treaty will also be advanced, the document said.

It said Canada supports China in successfully hosting the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and looks forward to its fruitful outcomes. The two sides will continue to commit to strengthen cooperation under the APEC framework and jointly make new contribution to the development, prosperity and progress of the Asia-Pacific.

Cooperation on combating transnational crime and corruption in accordance with the two countries' respective law are also to be enhanced. Meanwhile, dialogues that are aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and economic relations will be enhanced, the document read.

Other agreements signed during Harper's visit involved trade services, market access of agricultural products, air transport and visa application.

It said Chinese and Canadian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the China-Canada strategic partnership in the spirit of mutual benefit, equality and mutual respect, and the guiding principles outlined in the China-Canada Joint Statement of 2009 and the Joint List of Outcomes of 2012.

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