President Xi Jinping on Friday met a number of regional leaders on the sidelines of the Apec summit in South Korea, and extended an invitation for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit China.

"Recently, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Canada relations have shown recovery towards a trend of positive development," Xi told Carney in their meeting in Gyeongju.

"China is willing to work with Canada to bring China-Canada relations back to the right track."

The president extended an invitation to Carney to visit China, which the Canadian leader accepted.

Carney said he's very much looking forward to going to China to build "constructive and pragmatic dialogue".

Meanwhile, Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held their first meeting since she took office last week.

Xi said he's ready to maintain communication with the new Japanese leader to jointly advance bilateral ties on the right track.

The president also met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand on Friday.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's office said Xi and Lee will meet on Saturday to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

And in a written speech delivered at the Apec CEO Summit, Xi said China can provide the global business community with more development opportunities, a sound business environment, a broad stage for innovation and conditions for green growth.

He said "walking with China means walking with opportunities, believing in China means believing in tomorrow, and investing in China means investing in the future," according to Xinhua News Agency. (Agencies)