At noon of September 17, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao met once more with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin in Vancouver, Canada and addressed the grand send-off banquet hosted by Martin.

Hu first of all thanked Martin for especially returning from New York to Canada to see him off, noting that next month both sides will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Canada. Over the past 35 years China-Canada relations have gained long-term progress with close bilateral changes at all levels and smooth cooperation in various fields. On the major issues concerning world peace and development, the two countries have maintained close consolations and cooperation.

Hu noted that during his visit to Canada he exchanged in-depth views with Canadian leaders and people from all circles of the society and reached extensive consensus on developing China-Canada relations. The two sides agreed to raise the bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership, which conforms to the trend of the times and aspiration of the two peoples and completely complies with the common interest of the two countries and their people. Both sides decided to promote the all-dimensional and cross-sector cooperation covering various fields including politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture and education, health and environmental protection, make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, tap the potential of the mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen consultations and coordination on major international and regional issues and make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Hu expressed admiration for the concept of building "Pacific Gateway" raised by the Canadian government, believing that it will exert an important influence on expanding Canada's economic and technological cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and help create better conditions for China-Canada cooperation in the key areas of trade, energy sources and mineral resources.

Hu reiterated that China attaches great importance to cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and is committed to building up political mutual trust, deepening economic and trade cooperation and broadening cultural exchanges with countries in the region. The regional cooperation in Asia and pacific creates vast space for China's development while China's development brings about significant opportunities for the regional cooperation.

Hu stressed that both Canada and China are important countries along the Pacific and the Asia Pacific region is our common home. To expand cooperation between China and Canada and promote cooperation and development in the region are in the common interest of the two peoples and people of all the other countries in this region. We should seize the opportunities, tap the potential, deepen cooperation, jointly build a bright future for China-Canada relations and continue making contributions to the development and prosperity of Asia Pacific.

Martin sang high praise for the fruitful achievements of Hu Jintao's visit to Canada, pointing out that the friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding developed by the Canadian and Chinese people jointly over the years have made it possible for the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership. The visit of President Hu helped the Canadian people get better understanding about China and further understand the great potential of bilateral cooperation. He emphasized that Canada will work with China to constantly push forward the bilateral strategic partnership.

Dan Hays, speaker of the Senate of Canada, 5 ministers of the Canadian federal government, including the ministers of health and industry, governors of 5 western Canadian provinces and about 1,000 people form all circles of the society attended the banquet.

On the morning the same day, Hu went to Ballard Power System which is the first company in the world engaging in the R&D of fuel cell technology, listened to the introduction of Ballard Power System's CEO Dennis Campbell and visited the technology exhibition hall, R&D center and manufacturing workshop. Ballard Power System is a global leader in the research of automobile fuel cell.

On the afternoon of September 17, Hu wrapped up his state visit to Canada and left Vancouver for China by a chartered plane.