On behalf of their respective governments were Shi Guangsheng, Chinese minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, and his Canadian counterpart, Pierre Pettigrew signed their bilateral agreement on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Toronto on November 26.

After the signing ceremony, the Chinese minister said that the signing of the Sino-Canadian agreement signifies another step forward to the admission of China to the WTO.

The finalization of the agreement by the two sides in the spirit of friendly consultation and accommodation is in the interests of the two countries and will promote bilateral economic and trade ties, he added.

Pettigrew hailed the deal as a historical event in the development of trade and economic ties between the two countries. He reiterated that Canada stands for the admission of China to the WTO as early as possible.

Canada is looking forward to further cooperation with China in promoting multilateral trade and economic prosperity of the world, he said.

Canada is the 14th country to complete the WTO bilateral talks with China.

China and the United States signed their WTO agreement on November 15 at the end of six days of talks in Beijing, paving the way for China's entry to the largest trade body in the world.

China is yet to reach a third breakthrough in WTO bilateral talks with the European Union in the finalization of its entry.