Full coverage: Premier Li Attends UN Conferences, Visits Canada and Cuba

Full coverage: China’s Leaders

On Thursday, Premier Li met with Canada's Senate Speaker George Furey as well as Speaker of the House of Commons Geoff Regan.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C) meets with Canada's Senate Speaker George Furey (R) and Speaker of the House of Commons Geoff Regan in Ottawa, Canada, Sept. 22, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Li said China is willing to do more on lawmaking issues and interpersonal exchanges with Canada, on the basis of mutual respect and trust. And China will work with Canada to open up a new era of bilateral ties.

Premier Li also met with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. In that meeting, he said strengthening ties is not only beneficial to the two peoples, but also to peace and development in the world.

Li expressed his hope to lift ties with Canada to the forefront of China's relations with western countries.