John Baird is hoping that his first trip to China as foreign affairs minister will help improve Canada's sometimes chilly relations with that country.
On Monday, Baird met in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, who many believe could be next in line to become premier of the Asian giant.
In the past, the Conservative government has been criticized for allowing ties with China to slip. Prime Minister Stephen Harper waited nearly three years to visit the country, for example. But relations with Canada have improved since then, Baird said.
"The relationship has matured over the last five-and-a-half years. We've seen trade increase by 57 per cent," Baird said.
Baird also pointed out that "China is our second-largest trading partner," with $14 billion of Chinese investment in Canada, compared to $4 billion worth of Canadian investment in China.
Beijing hopes to continue investing in Canadian natural resources, and Baird offered assurances that Ottawa is open to further Chinese investment in Canada.
"We welcome more of that," he said. "Our government will always be prepared to stand up for the national interest when things are not of net benefit to Canada but, thus far, the assessments made have been that the Chinese investment is of net benefit to Canada."
Baird said his trip will "underline the importance that I and the government place in the relationship."
He said he also spoke about human rights issues during the meeting, which came amid stepped-up harassment and arrests of dissidents by Chinese authorities.
They also discussed the case of fugitive Chinese financier Lai Changxing, Baird said. Lai has been fighting extradition from Canada for more than a decade and could be sent back to China as early as next week.
Lai is accused of orchestrating a multibillion-dollar smuggling scheme, and the Chinese government has assured Ottawa that Lai will not face the death penalty.
Baird said he has no role in the case, which is being handled by the courts.
"The speed of Canadian justice system I think frustrates a lot of us and that's not specific to this case," he said, adding that he doesn't want Canada to be seen as a safe haven for white collar criminals.
Baird is also scheduled to visit Shanghai during the trip, where he will speak with local business leaders. He will then fly to Bali, Indonesia on Thursday for a meeting of ASEAN ministers.
With files from The Canadian Press and a report from CTV's Ben O'Hara-Byrne
