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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper may visit China this year to step up a "frank, friendly and forward-looking" relationship, Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said in Beijing yesterday.

"Canada shows its willingness to engage China in a closer manner in bilateral and multilateral relations, so Sino-Canada relations will be promoted towards the right direction," Cannon said during his first visit to China in his current capacity.

Responding to the A(H1N1) virus outbreak, Cannon said in a speech at China Foreign Affairs University yesterday that the upcoming dialogue between Canadian and Chinese ministers scheduled for June in Canada will be a great opportunity to promote communication, coordinate efforts and advance common interests in international health.

He also said Canada's pork exports were dealt a blow during the H1N1 flu outbreak. He urged parties, China included, to lift the import bans as "there is still no scientific evidence relating pork safety with the epidemic".

Cannon dubbed trade and investment "a key area of interest", noting that six new trade offices opened weeks ago in China to facilitate two-way trade and investment.

"It is important that we continue to work together to address the immediate global economic problems," Cannon said, pointing out that now is not the time for protectionism.

Chinese experts applauded the visit of the Canadian foreign minister and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Harper, but noted that the Sino-Canada relationship has been "inconsistent" in the last few years.

"There has been inadequate exchange among top leaders of both countries since Premier Wen's visit to Canada in 2005, coupled with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's absence from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, raising questions about bilateral relations," said Wang Honggang, an expert on Canadian studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Wang said Canada's domestic political climate has shifted since the Conservatives took office and played up the difference in human rights standards, which has negatively influenced diplomatic relations.

"The recent 'China Threat' fear, combined with insufficient dialogue, also contributed to inconsistent relations," Wang said, noting China enjoyed a sound relationship with the previous Canadian administration.

Questions:

1. When will Canadian and Chinese ministers be meeting in Canada for upcoming dialogue?

2. What Canadian export was recently dealt a blow?

3. What is the name of the government party currently in office in Canada?

Answers:

1. June.

2. Pork.

3. The Conservatives.

（英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Nancy Matos is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Nancy is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism and Media program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her journalism career in broadcast and print has taken her around the world from New York to Portugal and now Beijing. Nancy is happy to make the move to China and join the China Daily team.