Canada will continue to work "at a rapid pace" to advance progress on key issues between it and China and to strengthen bilateral ties, Canadian ambassador to China Jennifer May said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted Beijing's invitation to visit China "at a mutually convenient time," and she looks forward to welcoming Carney in China, May said at a reception marking the 55th anniversary of the founding of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

The reception was cohosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Canadian embassy in China on Wednesday evening in Beijing.

The two countries "reached a turning point" of the bilateral relationship at the China-Canada leaders' meeting held last month in Gyeongju of the Republic of Korea, May noted.

"We highly appreciate the proactive stance of the new Canadian government in promoting the improvement and development of bilateral relations through pragmatic and constructive means," Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said.

"We believe such political wisdom and courage will ultimately win public support and stand the test of history," he added.