China and Canada should treasure the hard-won fruit made in bilateral relations, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said here Friday in a meeting with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

"Under the current situation, the two sides should firmly grasp the correct direction of bilateral relations and handle the relations from a strategic and long-term perspective," Tang said.

Tang said he hoped both countries would make joint efforts to enrich the contents of China-Canada strategic partnership, explore more common interests and further deepen cooperation in various fields.

In addition, Tang urged both sides to properly solve disputes between the two countries to ensure a long-term, stable bilateral relations.

He appreciates Chretien's continual contribution to promoting bilateral relations and expects him to continue to play an active role in promoting the healthy and steady development of China-Canada relations.

Chretien is invited by China's CITIC Group for a visit to China.

Source: Xinhua