Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard responds to media in Roberval, Que., Wednesday June 25 2014.Clement Allard/The Canadian Press
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is hinting there could be direct flights between Montreal and Beijing within the next year.
Couillard is on a trade mission to China along with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.
Couillard is still cautious about the possible Montreal-Beijing flights, saying the approval process in China is very complicated and hasn't yet been settled.
A meeting is scheduled on Wednesday involving Air Canada executives, Chinese civil aviation authorities and James Cherry, head of the Montreal airport authority.
Cherry says the flights would be operated by Air China, a partner of Air Canada.
He adds that figures indicate there are enough passengers to make the route profitable.
Monday was also a busy day for the Quebec delegation accompanying Couillard.
A total of 18 agreements and protocols were signed with Chinese partners in a number of areas, notably health, energy, green technology, the building sector, education, research and innovation.