ANTALYA, Turkey – China’s President Xi Jinping has lauded what he calls the extraordinary vision of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s father for reaching out to his country 45 years ago.

Xi told Canada’s current prime minister on Monday that China will never forget Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s decision to open diplomatic relations.

“That was an extraordinary political vision,” Xi said at the start of a meeting with Trudeau on Monday at the G20 summit in Turkey.

“China will always remember that.”

For his part, Justin Trudeau said he looked forward to a fresh start in relations with China on economic, cultural and political levels.

“I celebrate well 45 years of strong relations between Canada and China,” Trudeau told the Chinese leader as they sat across from each other at opposite tables flanked by almost two dozen of their officials.

“I’m well aware we have an opportunity to set a fresh approach in our relationship right now,” Trudeau added. “I know that there are many opportunities for us to work together on economic, political and cultural ties, and I look forward to a very productive engagement in the coming years.”

Trudeau invited the Chinese leader to visit Canada, an invitation he first extended at the summit the previous day.

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.

A statement from Trudeau’s office said the meeting, which moved behind closed doors, was productive.

“The two leaders discussed the substantial and comprehensive Canada-China relationship and expressed the potential to work collaboratively to expand and deepen bilateral ties founded on strong people-to-people connections,” it said.

“The leaders looked forward to continued co-operation and regular dialogues on issues of mutual interest including economic growth, security, and cultural issues.”