The file photo shows Ershun, the panda mother who gave birth to panda twins, a male and female, at the Toronto Zoo in Canada. [File photo: Chinanews.com]

Canada's young Prime Minister has used an opportunity at a zoo in Toronto to put out some good diplomatic will toward China.

Justin Trudeau has made a stop at the Toronto Zoo on Monday to see a pair of giant panda cubs who have made their first public appearance after being born in October.

Trudeau says, "The panda is a symbol of peace and friendship, which is fitting considering Canada's ever-growing relationship with China. The birth of these pandas on the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Canada and China is a wonderful and serendipitous coincidence."

The panda cubs, a male and female, were born to a pair of giant pandas on loan from China until 2018.

The overture to China comes ahead of Trudeau's much-watched visit to Washington this week, where US President Barack Obama will be hosting a state dinner for the young Prime Minister.

The United States is Canada's largest trading partner. China is number-2.