Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday hailed the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the speed of progress in bilateral ties, declaring that the stage was set for both nations to become strategic partners across many fields.

Carney's optimistic remarks, in a meeting with top legislator Zhao Leji in Beijing on Thursday, followed months of intense re-engagement by both countries aimed at recalibrating ties that had soured under the previous prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

The four-day visit to China is the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017, following up on Carney's positive meeting with Xi in South Korea in October. ‍

The two are set to meet again on Friday.

Carney said he was "heartened by the leadership of President Xi ⁠Jinping", adding that warming ties had paved the way for strategic partnership in areas such as energy, people-to-people ties and security, according to a spokesperson for his office.

Re-engagement with China has also been fuelled by a push to diversify export markets after US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs last year and suggested Canada could become his country's 51st state.

In his meeting with Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, Carney said his visit had marked the start of a new partnership with China.

"Our teams have worked hard addressing trade irritants and creating platforms for new opportunities," he told Li.

"I believe that together, we are bringing this relationship back toward where it should be."

Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady track.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing.

Referring to Carney's visit to China, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship. (Reuters/Xinhua)