The strategic partnership between Canada and China, under concerted efforts by both sides, would be pushed further forward, a senior visiting Chinese official said on Monday.

Cai Wu, director of the Information Office of China's State Council, made the remarks when delivering a speech at Canada's Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa.

In retrospect to the past 35 years of bilateral diplomatic ties, Cai spoke of the rapid growth in exchanges and cooperation between Canada and China in fields such as politics, economy, trade, education and culture, as well as fruitful bilateral cooperation on major international and regional issues.

"Deepening and enriching the China-Canada relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and contributes to the prosperity and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole," he said.

He told dozens of Canadian politicians and media representatives that since the policies of reform and opening-up had been introduced at the end of the 1970s, China had successfully embarked on a road of peaceful development compatible with its national conditions and characteristics of the times.

"China persists in its pursuit of harmony and development internally while pursuing peace and development externally," he said.

The two aspects, closely linked and organically united, were an integrated whole, and would help to build a harmonious world of sustained peace and common prosperity, he added.

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