Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes remarks at a business banquet in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 10, 2012. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday visited Guangzhou, capital city of south Guangdong province, where he pledged to enhance energy cooperation with China.

He voiced the willingness at a dinner party for businessmen from the two countries.

Harper said Canada boasts rich natural resources that can be the important materials to drive China's industrial growth.

Noting Canada exports the majority of its energy to the United States, Harper said Canada gradually recognizes that the diversification of Canada's export market can help maximize Canada's commercial interests.

He said there is potential for Canada to cooperate with Guangdong, which has a large economy.

He also spoke highly of Sino-Canadian trade and economy ties.

Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan said at the dinner that the province will take the visit as an opportunity to expand imports of energy and resources from Canada and promote cooperation in areas such as environmental protection, finance, information industry and biomedicine.

Following Harper's arrival in Guangdong Friday morning, he met with Wang Yang, secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and in the afternoon the prime minister visited an international school.

Harper came to Beijing on Tuesday for a five-day trip as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao. The two premiers had talks on Wednesday and witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements regarding cooperation in trade, technology, education, forestry, energy and agriculture.

Harper will also visit the southwest municipality of Chongqing on Saturday.