On April 11, H. E. Ambassador Lu Shumin paid a courtesy call on Canadian Foreign Minister Hon. Pierre Pettigrew.

Ambassador Lu, first of all, conveyed to Foreign Minister Pettigrew the cordial greetings and best wishes as well as an invitation to visit China from his counterpart Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Li Zhaoxing. He then expressed his appreciation for the positive efforts the foreign minister has made in promoting the development of China-Canada relations since assuming office. Foreign Minister Pettigrew expressed thanks for this and asked Ambassador Lu to convey his regards and invitation to Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. Recalling fondly his first visit to China as Minister of International Trade in the 1980's and his ensuing visits to China as a member of Team Canada headed by former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Pettigrew said he is deeply impressed by the rapid booming of China's economy. Expressing satisfaction over the smooth development of Canada-China relations and the fruitful cooperation in various fields between the two sides, he voiced the conviction that bilateral relations can attain new heights with concerted efforts of both sides.

On the same day, Ambassador Lu Shumin also paid a courtesy call on Hon. Raymond Chan, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), during which they exchanged views on bilateral cultural cooperation.