Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada and China will take several steps to improve the relationship between the two countries.

Speaking in Beijing today, Trudeau says he agrees with the Chinese premier to deepen the relationship between Canada and China and explore a possible free trade deal.

“We will expand trade and investment. Initiatives in areas like energy, clean technology and agriculture are just the start,” Trudeau explained.

Trudeau also said cultural ties will be improved, “our people to people ties.”

Trudeau earlier said existing dockage rules with China on canola exports have been extended beyond tomorrow’s deadline as the two countries continue to negotiate a long-term solution.

The Prime Minister says Canada is also looking very favourably at the possibility of joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a China-led institution the United States has refused to join. The AIIB is China’s answer to the U.S. dominated World Bank and the Japan-dominated Asian Development Bank.