Yu Zhengsheng(R), member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chief secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, meets with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Shanghai December 5, 2009.?[Xinhua]

Shanghai Party chief meets Canadian Prime Minister

SHANGHAI: Shanghai Party chief Yu Zhengsheng met here Saturday with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, vowing to take the opportunity of the Shanghai World Expo to upgrade bilateral economic and environmental cooperation.

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The theme of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo is "Better City, Better Life", and the core of this theme is to achieve harmony between man and nature, said Yu, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee.

"We will step up the transformation of economic development mode and coordinate the various social interests,and promote development through reform and innovation," he said.

He appreciated Canada's active participation in the Shanghai World Expo and believed that the Expo would increase the Chinese people's understanding about Canada.

Harper said Shanghai was a vibrant city, and the Canadian companies, represented by Bombardier, had been active in Shanghai in the areas of transportation, insurance, food and resources.

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo was a very good opportunity for Canada and Shanghai to expand and escalate cooperation, especially in the fields of high-tech and environmental science and technology, he noted.

Harper visited the Shanghai World Expo Park Saturday morning and inaugurated the Canada Pavilion.

He said Canada's participation in the Shanghai World Expo was one of the earliest decisions of the government under his leadership since he took office, and the Canada Pavilion would be a great success during the Expo.

Harper left Shanghai for Hong Kong Saturday afternoon.

According to statistics of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, by the end of the year 2008, Canadian companies have invested in 909 projects in Shanghai, and the amount of contractual foreign capital reached US$876 million.

During the past five years, import and export between Shanghai and Canada have maintained rapid growth. In 2008, the total trade volume reached UD$4.87 billion.