ST-ALEXIS-DES-MONTS - With the United States mired in economic uncertainty, Premier Jean Charest wants Quebec to strengthen its economic ties to China to lessen its dependence on its largest trading partner immediately to the south.

Charest, speaking at the conclusion of a Liberal caucus retreat just outside Trois-Rivières, said failing to turn towards the burgeoning economic power of China would be a grave mistake, particularly at a time when Quebec is preparing to open its north to the world's markets.

"China will become, as of 2011, our second most valuable economic partner," Charest said. "And that will be the case for the foreseeable future."

The United States account for 70 per cent of Quebec's exports, a situation Charest sees as impossible to sustain.

Meanwhile, Charest sees China as a country just looking for somewhere to spend its money.

"China has a lot of reserves that they need to invest elsewhere in the world," he said.

With Charest's ambitious Northern Plan in need of investors, it appears to be a match made in heaven. It was in search of just such a marriage that Charest made a trip to Japan and China last month to sell the rich natural resources that are about to be unearthed in Quebec's north.

The message of increased trade with China was part of a more global one Charest is trying to send to Quebecers just ahead of the opening of the fall session in the National Assembly – that his party is looking out for their greater interests.

In the Liberals' eyes, that is in stark contrast to someone who has emerged out of nowhere as the party's greatest threat – Francois Legault.

Even though Legault has not even formed a party yet, his strong showings in polls have clearly drawn notice in the Liberal camp.

"He comes out of the woodwork, makes a point and then runs away," Finance Minister Raymond Bachand said of Legault.

"Since he wants to play on the same rink as we're on, he should play by the same rules," Charest added.

However, in spite of the new threat Legault represents, confidence in the Liberal camp is high as the Parti Québécois sits in a state of disarray.

The situation has triggered rumours that perhaps Charest may want to pounce and call an early election, but he was not tipping his hand Friday.

"We have a mandate that can go five years," he said, "so we'll determine when the best time is for that."