BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will pay an official visit to China from Jan. 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday.

At a regular news briefing, Spokesperson Mao Ning said that this visit marks the first trip to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years, and the Chinese side places great emphasis on it.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with the Canadian prime minister to provide new strategic guidance for further improving and developing China-Canada relations, said Mao.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will hold separate talks and meetings with the Canadian prime minister to conduct comprehensive and in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interest.

"The sound and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of both countries and their peoples, and also contributes to world peace, stability, development and prosperity," Mao noted.

China looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to enhance dialogue and communication, increase political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, properly manage differences, address each other's concerns and consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations to bring greater benefit for the two peoples, said the spokesperson. ■