On the morning of September 10, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived at Toronto, Canada where he met with Premier Dalton McGuinty of Ontario province, the Minister of International Trade James Scott Peterson and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Joe Volpe of the Canadian Federal Government respectively.

When meeting with McGuinty, Hu noted that Ontario province is an economic, financial and diversified cultural center of Canada and has a long history of exchanges with China. The Chinese people hold especially friendly feeling towards Ontario. Doctor Bethune who was born in Gravenhurst, Ontario once fought shoulder by shoulder with the Chinese people during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and scarified his valuable life. His moving story is read with admiration by people all over China.

Hu said that over the 35 years since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Canada Ontario has always been the forerunner in developing relations with China. At present the trade volume of Ontario with China accounts for 50% of Canada's total trade with China and half of the overseas Chinese and Chinese students in Canada live in Ontario. Our cooperation enjoys a solid foundation and promising future. It is hoped that both sides make joint efforts to constantly explore new exchange and cooperation areas. China welcomes an increasing number of Ontario businesses to go to China and make industrial investment there so as to contribute to pushing forward the all-round development of China-Canada economic and trade cooperation.

McGuinty said that 35 years ago when the two countries established diplomatic ties 3 of the first group of overseas Chinese students dispatched to his country once stayed in his home, which leaves him and his family with a very pleasant memory. He noted that Ontario is a good friend of China and cherishes its friendship with the Chinese people and cooperation with related Chinese provinces and cities. The province is willing to facilitate business investment of Chinese companies and will further actively develop cooperation with China in such fields as economy and trade, culture, education and science and technology.

When meeting with Peterson and Volpe, Hu introduced the major results of his visit up to then, especially the decision of both sides to set up China-Canada strategic partnership. He also talked about further expanding China's economic and trade relations with Ontario and the bilateral civil exchanges. He said that Ontario has always been playing a critical role in promoting China-Canada friendly cooperation. Each year China imports a large number of commodities including the mechanical and electronic products, fertilizer, grain and paper pulp from Ontario and many Chinese goods are especially favored by the Ontario people. The bilateral cooperation still has great potential. He expressed hope that both sides work together to further broaden the friendly cooperation in various fields and benefit the people of the two countries.

Volpe and Peterson noted respectively that the fruitful results of President Hu's visit to Canada, especially the establishment of Canada-China strategic partnership opens brand-new prospects for bilateral friendship and cooperation. The Canadian people are full of confidence of the development of China and expect to join hands with the Chinese people to build a bright future of friendship and cooperation.

As the capital city of Ontario and the biggest city of Canada, Toronto is the economic, financial, commercial, manufacturing and media center of the country. There are about 550,000 overseas Chinese living in Toronto.