TORONTO, Canada, Sept. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao left here Sunday after a state visit to Canada, and is flying to Mexico City to pay a state visit to Mexico as a guest of Mexican President Vicente Fox.

    Hu started his state visit to Canada on Thursday, landing in Canada's capital city of Ottawa, where he met with Canadian Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson and lawmakers, and held talks with Prime Minister Paul Martin.

    During the talks between Hu and Martin on Friday, China and Canada agreed to build a strategic partnership aimed at promoting the long-term and steady development of bilateral relations.

    The two sides also agreed to make joint efforts to raise bilateral trade volume from 15.5 billion US dollars in 2004 to 30 billion US dollars by 2010.

    To realize the goals, Hu said both sides should further open their markets to expand bilateral trade; increase two-way investment in infrastructure, energy, environmental protection, agriculture and telecommunications in particular; strengthen cooperation in energy resources; and create better conditions to facilitate business activities of enterprises from both countries.

    Hu said the enhancement of Sino-Canadian friendly and cooperative relations constitutes an important component of Chinese foreign policy.China will work with Canada to push for new achievements in the development of bilateral ties.

    Martin said China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and China's development brings great opportunities for Canada.

    The Canadian government will work with the Chinese to deepen bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, trade, science, technology, energy resources, agriculture and international affairs, said Martin.

    Hu and Martin also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents between the two sides concerning air transportation, railways, food security, quarantine, nuclear energy and health research.

    In Toronto, the business hub of Canada, Hu met with local officials and delivered a speech at a China-Canada trade forum dinner.

    Hu's visit to Canada, the first stop on his current north American tour, is the first visit here by a Chinese head of state in eight years.

    After a state visit to Mexico, Hu will attend the United Nations summit marking the world body's 60th anniversary in New York, and visit the Canadian city of Vancouver on his way back to Beijing. Enditem