Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China welcomed Canada's decision to apply to be a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
While meeting with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Xi said that China was willing to improve communication and coordination with Canada, protect an open and inclusive multilateral trade system with the country and deepen cooperation in areas such as climate change, peacekeeping and marine protection.
Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Canada's decision to apply to be a member of the AIIB, at a press conference in Beijing Wednesday.
Xi also called for more high-level visits between China and Canada. Leaders of both countries should pursue communication and coordination in a variety of ways on issues of mutual concern, Xi said. He added that both sides should enhance dialogue and cooperation in various fields with existing bilateral mechanisms.
This is the first official visit by Trudeau since taking office in November 2015. His father, former Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was the first Canadian prime minister to visit China after the establishment of diplomatic relations.
After his stay in Beijing, Trudeau will fly to Hangzhou to attend the G20 summit.
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China Focus: AIIB gets another vote of confidence as Canada applies to join
BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Canada announced Wednesday that it had decided to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a sign of growing international confidence in the China-initiated multilateral bank.
If Canada joins the AIIB, it will be the first North American member of the bank, which already has 57 founding members including Australia and the United Kingdom. Full story
Canada to apply for AIIB membership
BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Canada has decided to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced at a press conference in Beijing Wednesday.
If Canada joins the AIIB, it will be the first North American member of the multilateral bank. Full story
