China-Canada trade roadmap opens path for expanded cooperation: commerce ministry

China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday the newly signed China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap lays a solid foundation for elevating bilateral economic ties, outlining practical measures to strengthen trade, investment and multilateral engagement between the two countries.

The roadmap, signed during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's first visit to China in eight years, represents a milestone under the framework of the new strategic partnership. 

According to an official of the Ministry of Commerce, it establishes a ministerial-level joint economic and trade committee to replace the previous deputy-minister-level mechanism, signaling a stronger institutional foundation for managing trade relations, resolving disputes and promoting dialogue on issues such as intellectual property and trade remedies.

The official highlighted that the roadmap systematically structures cooperation across eight key areas: bilateral trade mechanisms, overall economic relations, agriculture and food security, green and sustainable trade, e-commerce and trade promotion, facilitation of personnel exchanges, economic and financial cooperation and regional and multilateral trade engagement. 

It includes 28 specific initiatives covering both traditional sectors, such as energy, agriculture, consumer goods and SMEs, and emerging fields, including new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and green products, according to the official.

The official said these measures are designed to accelerate development and create a fast lane for China-Canada economic cooperation.