In a phone conversation Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird assured his newly-nominated Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi, a better and brighter relationship with the Beijing government.

John Baird also expressed Canada's deep interest in establishing close working relationships with the newly appointed Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the rest of the new Chinese leadership, according to the Chinese State News Agency Xinhua.

Pledging to strengthen the trade relationship between the two countries, John Baird assured to conduct close communication and cooperation with the Beijing government.

The two also noted to discuss the trade cooperation as well as international and domestic issues of common interests in the offing.

Last Friday in a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulated the newly nominated Chinese leaders and the prime minister said that Canada looks forward to cultivating people to people ties through education and tourism.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Xi Jinping on becoming President of the People's Republic of China and Li Keqiang on becoming the country's Premier," said Prime Minister Harper.

"Canada and China enjoy a vibrant and wide-ranging relationship.  We are rapidly increasing commercial relations, we are actively cultivating people-to-people ties through growing exchanges of students and tourists, and we are expanding cooperation in culture and science. We also work together in key international forums, such as the G-20, to address global issues of common interest," added Stephen Harper.

China last year replaced the United Kingdom to become Canada's second largest trade-export destination.

Canadian goods export to China has almost doubled between 2008 and 2012.

The total value of Canadian goods exported to China last year was $19.3 billion while its returns from goods exported to U.K. was only $18.6 billion.

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