(Adds detail on canola, beef, business deal)
By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Canada and China said on Thursday they will launch exploratory talks on a free trade agreement and explore a possible extradition treaty for Chinese fugitives from Canada, even as they announced agreements on beef and canola exports to China.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters the trade and extradition treaty talks were part of an attempt to improve the relationship between the two countries.
Trudeau is already under fire from opposition leaders for considering a treaty that could send Chinese suspects into a legal system where human rights activists say torture and forced confessions are commonplace.
But Trudeau said Canada's standard on extradition was clearly understood by China.
The controversy over the extradition treaty comes just days after Kevin Garratt, a Canadian held in China for two years and charged with spying, was deported to Canada. His release came just days after Trudeau visited Beijing and sparked questions about what Canada had given up to secure Garratt's release.
In announcing the start of free trade talks, the two countries said two longstanding disputes had been at least partially resolved to improve access for Canadian beef and canola to China's burgeoning market. L2N1BY15J L3N1BY3OB
A trade deal could bring an economic boost to Canada, which is struggling with tepid growth amid slumping prices for oil, one of its major exports. Canada counts China as its second-largest export market after the United States.
Emerging from a morning meeting with Li, Trudeau announced four business deals between Canadian and Chinese companies, including a joint venture between SNC Lavalin SNC.TO and China National Nuclear Corp CNNNC.UL and Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd 601727.SS to develop, market and build new nuclear reactors in China.
In separate deals, Sinoenergy Corp Ltd will invest C$500 million over two years in Long Run Exploration Ltd, an Alberta oil and gas company, while Iovate Health Sciences International Inc and Xiwang Food Stuffs Co Ltd signed a share purchase agreement worth C$962 million, the prime minister's office said.