Harper meets Chinese leader on final day at APEC summit in Russia

VLADIVOSTOCK, Russia – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao on the final day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

The two leaders presided over the signing of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which was announced during Harper’s visit to China in February.

The Sunday morning meeting is considered the centerpiece of the prime minister’s trip to the APEC summit in Russia because of his government’s focus on expanding trade with the Asian economic giant.

The meeting also comes at a key time because Industry Canada’s ongoing review of the China National Offshore Oil Co.’s $15.1-billion deal to buy Calgary-based Nexen Inc. (TSX:NXY).

China has already invested heavily in Canada’s natural resources sector, but the Nexen bid has sparked concern because CNOOC is a state-owned company, not a private company.

Prior to arriving at the summit, Harper said the onus is on China to show that its state-run enterprises can be trusted to play by the same rules that apply in Canada.

Harper’s other big meeting at the summit came Saturday with his host, Russian President Vladimir Putin, when the two men essentially agreed to disagree on the crisis in Syria.

The summit is being held in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok.