Chinese and Canadian officials quietly held a meeting in Ottawa last week to discuss their strained ties, reports said.

According to experts, China-Canada ties weakened in recent months and future plans between the countries may be affected. The tension was caused by two high profile cases in the past two months.

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In late July, Canada accused China of hacking a government computer. Weeks later, China suspected a Canadian couple, Kevin and Julia Dawn Garratt, of being spies and detained them.

As an effort to ease tensions, China's ambassador said last month that relations between the countries were good.

Last week, a Chinese envoy led by assistant foreign minister Zheng Zeguang visited Ottawa to discuss relations. Reporters found out about it from the Chinese embassy website on Tuesday.

The statement on the website said that the meeting would allow the two countries to discuss their views on their relations and other common concerns. Canada, however, did not mention any talks with China to reporters.

A former Canadian diplomat, Charles Burton, said that it was important that the Chinese envoy met Ray Novak, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff.

Novak may really want to ensure that Harper takes the Garratt case very seriously, Burton said. Canada wants to send a message to the Chinese ministry that its ties with China will be significantly affected if the Garratts remain detained by fall, he added.

An unnamed Canadian official also believed that it will be difficult for the prime minister to look forward to his China visit in November if the Garratts are still detained.

Harper planned a three-day tour in China when he attends the Asian regional summit on Nov. 10 and 11. The plan is a sign that the two countries are trying to foster of good ties between them.

Canada views China as a potential client for oil business. Harper visited China to introduce the idea of becoming trading partners in 2012.

TagsJulia Dawn Garratt, Kevin Garratt, Zheng Zeguang, Charles Burton