Canada plans to open six new trade offices in China in an effort to broaden relations with the emerging economic power, International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said on Tuesday.

"This reflects our awareness that China has been greatly emerging even in a downturn we are in right now," Day told reporters Tuesday in a teleconference before his trip to Japan and China on April 8-17.

"We've been analyzing the situation for the last few months, our consensus is that China is going to be a strong performer," he said, adding China expects to see its economy grow 6 percent to 7 percent this year.

The new trade offices, to be opened during his visit, will help Canadian companies take advantage of the huge business opportunities resulted from China's faster recovery, he said.

He said in China, he will work to advance key negotiations aimed at increasing two-way investment and expanding cooperation in science and technology.

"This obviously has a trade focus, this mission, but we're looking at all aspects of the relationship," he said. "China has a great influence not only in its region, but also around the world ... We would like to broaden the relationship."

Canada is aiming to triple its two-way trade with China over the next 10 years, he said, adding expanded trade will benefit the both economies.

The minister played down reports of strained relations between Canada and China.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper "looks forward to visiting China, yet his schedule is overly subscribed," Day said.

Harper has already met Chinese President Hu Jintao on several international occasions and he looks forward to broadening that relationship, Day said.