The federal government wants Canadians to air their concerns about China's human rights record as part of broad consultations on a possible free trade deal.

Calling for a "new golden decade" in China-Canada relations, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday he wants to return to the days when his country had better relations with Canada than it did most other western countries.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada and China have embarked on exploratory talks towards a potential free trade agreement between the two countries.