BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday applauded recent speech of Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on Canada-China relations.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China had noticed Bernier's speech on March 12. He talked about Canada-China relations when made a public speech on Canada's Asia-Pacific policy.

    China applauds his saying that the Canadian government values relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, regards the People's Republic of China government as the sole legal government of China, and opposes to Taiwan authorities' proposed "referendum on UN membership," Qin noted.

    Qin said China values the relations with Canada, and always maintains that the growth of China-Canada relations accords with fundamental interests of both nations and the two peoples.

    Qin hoped that the two nations, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, would make concerted efforts to promote the healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations.