Canada recognizes the value of strengthening partnership with China and believes there is considerable potential for cooperation in various areas, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said on Wednesday.

Martin made the remarks in a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of President Hu Jintao's visit to Ottawa.

Describing ties with China as broad, multi-faceted, important and complex, Martin said President Hu's visit will be an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relations and to expand strategic partnership between the two countries.

In the interview, Martin also spoke highly of the economic cooperation between the two countries and expressed confidence that it would expand further rapidly in the near future.

As to the economic cooperation, Martin said over the past 35 years, Canada and China have developed a wide range of innovative commercial partnership in trade, investment and technology.

The vital economic partnership has made significant contribution to the growth and development of both countries, he stresses.

Yet, he added, significant potential for future growth still exists in such sectors as energy, finance, agriculture, transportation and telecommunications.

Referring to the Taiwan Affairs bill which was raised in April by a parliament member aimed at upgrading Canada's relations with Taiwan, Martin said the bill "does not represent the official policy of my government and we do not support it."

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2005)