China welcomes Canada's ratification of an agreement which aims to promote and protect mutual investment between Canada and China, Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said on Saturday.

China is looking forward to a diplomatic note from Canada so that the agreement can take effect as soon as possible, said Gao in a statement on the ministry's website.

Trade between China and Canada has been improving, said Gao, disclosing that mutual trade hit $54.4 billion in 2013 and mutual investment totaled $51 billion between the two countries by the end of 2013.

The agreement will help boost mutual investment in the two countries and deepen their economic and trade cooperation, Gao said.