Chinese ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui held a news conference at the Chinese Consulate General in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday. It was Luo's third visit to British Columbia, during which he spoke of strengthening ties between the two countries. Danwei Bu / For China Daily

China's ambassador to Canada said the two countries can build on their relationship with free trade and energy projects.

Ambassador Luo Zhaohui, in a news conference at the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver on Tuesday, encouraged more cultural exchanges and talks on energy and environmental issues.

“Although there were a few difficulties in the development of China-Canada relations in the past few years, the overall relationship is still fairly active,” he said.

He also noted the positive role that British Columbia plays in Chinese-Canadian relations.

Luo is optimistic that through the establishment of a free trade area and projects such as the production of liquefied natural gas, the two countries can build a more stable relationship.

Luo expressed his excitement about Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's third visit to China, planned for next month. Luo said Harper will discuss the possible establishment of the first North American offshore RMB business center in Canada.