Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday set off for a five-day trip in China, a few days ahead of the APEC summit, a move intended to boost bilateral trade relations in light of Beijing's growing global influence.

Relations between the two have been strained in recent months after the National Reaearch Council accused China of cyber hacking in July. Weeks later, Chinese authorities detained Canadian nationals Kevin and Julia Garratt for alleged spying.

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It seems, however, that Canada is willing to repair ties when Harper met with the Chinese ambassador to signify his intent to visit China.

The prime minister's trip comes at a time when China's role in the country's prosperity has become increasingly hard to ignore, said David Mulroney, Canada's former ambassador to China.

China is currently Canada's second largest trade partner, he added.

Despite this, some Conservatives wary of China's intentions have expressed dissent with this view, most notably Employment Minister Jason Kenney, a key lieutenant of Harper's who wields considerable influence in the caucus.

Kenney has made no secret of his censure of China's stance on human rights and religious freedom. 

Still, other officials including Industry Minister James Moore, Foreign Affairs Minister Johm Baird, International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz -- all proponents of forging a stronger China-Canada trade relationship -- form part of Harper's delegation.

The delegation expects to secure several commercial deals intended to benefit not only the country's large firms but also its small- and medium-enterprises.

Sources say the prime minister will also raise the issues of cyber security and the case of the Garratts when he meets with President Xi Jinping.

Earlier, the prime minister extended his apologies to China for canceling plans to attend the APEC leaders' summit in Beijing on Nov. 10 to 11.

Harper formally thanked the Chinese's understanding on why he had to withdraw his attendance, citing the shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and the attack on Parliament Hill last month.

But in an about-face that underscored Canada's intentions to re-establish trade ties with China, the prime minister announced he decided to attend the two-day summit after all, CBS News relayed.

At a time when Canada aims to assert itself as a key player in the Asia-Pacific, attending the APEC is essential, Mulroney said.