BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Xu Kuangdi, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body on Thursday met Adrienne Clarkson, former Canadian governor-general.

Xu said cooperation between China and Canada in culture, education, science, health care and other fields has been expanding, adding that the two countries have also maintained close consultations and coordination on key international and regional issues such as the reform of the United Nations and fight against terrorism.

However, there are still frictions and difficulties in the bilateral relations, which require both countries to expand consensus and reduce differences so as to forward bilateral strategic partnership.

Clarkson said since the Sino-Canadian relationship is of great importance, the two countries should further intensify communication, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Clarkson, of Chinese origin, is the 26th governor-general of Canada (from 1999 to 2005). She was born on Feb. 10 of 1939 and was the second female governor-general in Canadian history as well as the first governor-general with Asian origin.