Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson told reports in Beijing that the two countries are going through a period of renewal after Canada pressured for improved human rights in China.
"I think everybody is aware that there has been a bit of testiness in the Canada-China relationship in the last couple of years," Emerson said.
"We're now at a stage where both China and Canada are very happy to be engaging in ways that will enable us to continue to express our differences of view but to ensure the relationship continues to deepen and get stronger across the board."
Emerson also said he has seen no evidence that Chinese officials are displeased with Harper's decision not to attend the Games. Rather, he said officials seem anxious to deepen relations with Canada.
The PMO has maintained for months that Harper wouldn't be attending the event, but citing a scheduling conflict rather than politics, as his reason.
Emerson, is attending the opening ceremonies on Friday along with Secretary of State for Sport, Helena Guergis, and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
Liberal MP Irwin Cotler on Thursday said China has reneged on its pledge to improve its human rights record and he called on Emerson to raise the issue while in Beijing.
"The authorities said they would turn those words into deeds regrettably the deeds mock those words," Cotler said.
Meanwhile, the Olympic torch made its final approach to Beijing Thursday morning with a dramatic relay along the Great Wall of China.
In total, 2,008 grey pigeons were released into the air as the torch was carried by 18 different runners, flanked by hundreds of yellow pompom-waving fans on its way to Friday's opening ceremonies.
Thursday's torch run began with Li Zhonghua, one of China's most famous test pilots, carrying the flame.
The relay has been plagued by controversy along much of its global journey that began in March in Athens, Greece. Human rights and activist groups have used the opportunity to challenge China's record, particularly in Tibet, with major demonstrations and protests.
Despite high security, three Americans staged a protest Thursday morning in Tiananmen Square, though Chinese police quickly put a stop to the demonstration.
And at least two women who protested their forced evictions ahead of the Games were taken into custody by Chinese police on Thursday.
On Wednesday, members of Students for a Free Tibet managed to unfurl two large banners in Beijing.
CTV's Lisa LaFlamme said security measures are "extreme" in many parts of Beijing as activists attempt to use the intense global spotlight to get their message out.
"There are stringent security measures in place on all levels, but particularly in the key landmark areas of the city and surrounding the games," LaFlamme told CTV's Canada AM.
"There's something like 300,000 security surveillance cameras in the city observing your every move. Wherever you're going you get scanned, if you're going into the subway or certainly into or out of the Olympic venues."
Another concern in the weeks leading up to the Games has been pollution. Beijing's notoriously high smog rates have had many athletes wondering how to protect themselves, despite China's assurances it would improve air quality by shutting down industry and taking cars off the road.
"Today is a terrible day by all standards," LaFlamme said on Thursday.
"Beijing is measuring the air quality index saying it is 88. Keep in mind the safety limit set by the World Health Organization is 50. The Canadian environmental experts I spoke with that are travelling with the Canadian Olympic team say the measure is actually closer to 100. You literally can't see the tops of the buildings today."
However, Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee said members don't seem overly concerned about pollution affecting their performance.
"Athletes got to this level by being able to focus very well and I think this is a big moment for them in their lives and the issues that exist here exist for all athletes and they're focused on their task," Rudge told Canada AM from Beijing.
