When it comes to unleashing the power of partnerships between countries, free trade agreements go a long way.

A brainstorming session between officials and experts from Canada and China last Friday in Vaughan City Hall looked at ways to get the ball rolling.

As Canada's immediate next -door neighbor calls for new agreements with Canada and Mexico, the future of an FTA between Canada and China becomes even more impactful, offering Canadian businesses an alternative way to diversify and trade with more than just the United States, experts said.

"A fair FTA will benefit both sides," said He Wei, Chinese consul general in Toronto, "by tapping into China and the entire Asian-Pacific economy that is being enriched by the Belt and Road Initiative."

He likened signing an FTA to opening a new window, offering Canada a distinctive channel to a large and vigorous market.

He gave an example of how large China's market is. Within just 24 hours on June 18, JD, one of China's top e-commerce giants, sold 4.5 million Canadian shrimp and 140,000 live Canadian lobsters.

"China is a dynamic market, and has been interested in and kept a strong demand for the consumer products of seafood, agriculture and tourism of Canada," He said.

Michael Chan, Ontario's minister of international trade who has made several working trips to China this year, said, "We view free trade as a means to further deepen economic, cultural and social relationships. For our province, China is a very important and long-term partner."

Chan said Ontario is home to more than 713,000 Canadians of Chinese origin, more than half of Canada's total of 1.3 million.

"This is a clear indication of the cultural and business ties - and potential - between us," Chan said. "We are determined to nurture and expand this bilateral relationship."

Reza Moridi, Ontario's minister of science, innovation and technology, echoed the importance of an FTA with China.

"Trade between nations helps the economy and prosperity of those nations grow and create jobs and brings nations and people closer," he said.

"The potential for two way trade between Ontario and China is enormous and we have to make sure that both sides fully utilize this potential."

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