Chinese leaders met Thursday with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, hoping that through this visit the bilateral ties would "turn a new page".

"The China-Canada relations experienced twists and turns in recent years, which is not in accordance with interests of both sides," Premier Wen Jiabao said during the talks with Harper, who was here for his first visit to China since he took office in 2006.

This was also the first meeting between the Chinese Premier and the Canadian Prime Minister in almost five years.

"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-term and friendly cooperation between countries different in systems and level of development.

"Your visit this time has a great mission and special significance," Wen said.

The premier noted that the two nations did not have conflicts of fundamental interests, and the common interests were far greater than the disagreements.

"As long as the two nations abide by the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, the China-Canada relations will make healthy and stable progress," he noted.

Next year, China and Canada would celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Wen hoped that the two nations would increase coordination and cooperation to achieve win-win development.

Wen welcomed Canada to take a strategy of diversified trade, and expand export to China, which he said would help the balanced growth of bilateral trade.

Wen urged the two sides to speed up their negotiation on investment protection agreement, in a bid to offer legal protection for increasing mutual investment.

The Canadian government in recent years worked out the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, which is an integrated set of investment and policy measures focusing on trade with the Asia-Pacific region.

China was ready to participate more in the project in infrastructure construction sectors, Wen said.

China announced the Approved Destination Status for Canada during Harper's current visit. Wen hoped the two nations would expand exchanges in education, culture, sports, tourism and media to enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

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.

Chinese President Hu Jintao also met with Harper Thursday. He expressed belief that that Harper's China trip this time would push bilateral cooperation to a new level.

"China is ready to work with Canada to cement dialogues, exchanges and cooperation in various areas, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and properly handle sensitive issues between the two sides," said the Chinese president.

Harper, who kicked off his visit to China 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.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2009)