The Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, is visiting China for talks that will focus on oil sales, energy and other economic ties.

The four-day visit emphasises efforts by Canada to diversify energy sales as nearly all of its oil exports currently go to the US.

Correspondents say Canada will find a willing buyer in China.

The visit comes soon after a US move to block a major oil pipeline project running across the US from Canada.

Speaking before he set off for Beijing, Mr Harper said the US decision highlighted the need for Canada to expand its exports to new markets.

Washington blocked the project - which would have seen a pipeline running from western Canada, down the length of the US to Texas - on environmental grounds.

Mr Harper will meet with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other top Chinese officials following a welcoming ceremony Wednesday, AP news agency reports.

The agency says Chinese state-owned companies have invested more than $16bn in Canadian energy over the past 10 years and hope to get access to reliable supplies of fuel for its economic needs.

The BBC's Micky Bristow in Beijing says that if negotiations on this issue do get anywhere, it will be in part down to the belief that Canada has softened its attitude on human rights in China, since the early days of Mr Harper's premiership.

Cabinet ministers and a number of business leaders are accompanying Mr Harper on the official visit.