TORONTO -- A number of Chinese companies from the mining sector were present on March 4 at a major industry convention in Toronto, hoping to pave their way into Canada.

The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC's) International Convention, running from March 3 to 7, is made up of a trade show, investors exchange, short courses to raise expertise, and most importantly, networking.

The event attracted about 28,000 delegates last year, of which over 300 were from China. PDAC Executive Director Ross Gallinger said the number has steadily increased.

"I definitely see more presence of China -- Chinese companies walking the floor of the trade show," he said. "There's definitely a bigger conversation involving China as well as other countries."

The recent deal signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his trip to China that would allow an increase in uranium exports to China has set up a relationship between the two countries into what Gallinger described as a two-way street.

He said China was a very important partner in terms of its needs for metals and minerals, Chinese investment in Canada as well as Canadian investment in China. He called it a "sort of two-way street" relationship.

"I think there's a greater opportunity moving forward for China and other companies in terms of being suppliers to the industry," Gallinger added.

David Ming Qi, vice general manager of Yunnan Metallurgical Group Co Ltd, said the vast Canadian resources, good legal and financial systems and political stability were key factors in their decision to expand to Canada.