Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting Governor General of Canada David Johnston prior to their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Canadian Governor General David Johnston in Beijing on Friday and pledged to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, Xi noted the Chinese people's deep affection for the Canadian people as Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor, is a household name in China due to his efforts in the Chinese people's antifascist war.

The smooth development of the bilateral relationship in recent years is not only in the fundamental interests of the two nations, but also helps to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the world at large.

"China and Canada share extensive common interests and have immense room for cooperation," Xi said, adding that the Chinese side stands ready to make joint efforts with Canada to push their the bilateral partnership to a new high.

Xi proposed China and Canada increase high-level interactions and respect each other's core interests and major concerns to consolidate their political trust in each other.

He also urged Canada to approve an investment deal between the two countries, adding that the two sides should give full play to their mutually complementary advantages and boost practical cooperation in energy, resources, transportation, telecommunications, finance and environmental protection.

Xi advocated the two countries should increase people-to-people exchanges and communication in international affairs.

Johnston, who is paying a state visit to China from Friday to Thursday at Xi's invitation, hailed the traditional friendship, people-to-people exchanges and deepening cooperation between the two countries.

The governor general said the Canadian side appreciates China's positive role in safeguarding world peace and stability, willing to expand cooperation with China in trade, investment, innovation, energy and environmental protection in pursuit of win-win reciprocity.

The Canadian side welcomes Chinese investment and will increase exchanges between the people of the two countries to lay a more solid social foundation for cooperation, Johnston said.

He also looks forward closer communication and coordination between China and Canada in international and regional affairs.