Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and put forward five proposals for further advancing Sino-Canadian relations.

Hu proposed that China and Canada increase contact at all levels, expand practical cooperation, step up cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enhance cooperation in global and regional affairs, and respect each other's core interests and major concerns.

Hu, who arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday for a state visit to Canada, told Harper that China welcomes Governor-General Michaelle Jean to visit China next month and attend activities at the World Expo in Shanghai.

China welcomes more leaders of the Canadian government, parliament and political parties to visit China, and it is ready to work with Canada to fully utilize bilateral consultation mechanisms, such as the China-Canada strategic work panel, and step up dialogues and exchanges in all areas, Hu said.

China regards Canada as an important cooperation partner and would like to work with Canada to boost mutually beneficial cooperation, he added.

Hu proposed that the two countries strive to raise the volume of two-way trade to 60 billion U.S. dollars by 2015, and encourage reciprocal investment.

The two countries should deepen energy and resources cooperation by establishing a long-term, stable partnership in this area, advance mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of mining, natural gas, nuclear energy and new energy, as well as facilitate and support investment by companies of both countries, he said.

Hu urged both countries to complement each other's advantages and expand cooperation in the areas of science, technology, agriculture, environmental protection, health, transport, aviation, infrastructure development and finance.

Hu said the two countries should also cooperate in opposing protectionism and properly handle trade frictions through dialogues and consultations.

Hu also called on both countries to promote exchanges in the areas of culture, education, sports and youth so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.