Trudeau vows to strengthen China relations as Xi praises vision of PM's dad

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Antalya, Turkey, on Nov. 14, 2015, to take part in the G20 Summit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick.

Trudeau vows to strengthen China relations as Xi praises vision of PM's dad

ANTALAYA, Turkey – Justin Trudeau says he wants to strengthen co-operation with China after he received a warm reception from President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit.

The Chinese leader lauded what he called the extraordinary vision of the prime minister’s father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, for reaching out to his country 45 years ago.

Xi told Canada’s current prime minister that China will never forget the decision to open diplomatic relations.

Trudeau invited the Chinese leader to visit Canada as the two met at the G20 summit in Turkey on Monday.

Trudeau’s meeting with Xi was in sharp contrast to the frosty reception former prime minister Stephen Harper received in Beijing in 2009.

China’s then premier chided Harper for taking three years to visit his country.