February 9, 2005
Chinese New Year and Trade Mission to China
MLA Statement

Mr. Speaker, Today, February 9, 2005, is the beginning of the Lunar New Year.

In the Chinese calendar, today is the first day of the Year 4702, the Year of the Rooster.

Many people in the Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year, including China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In fact in our province, the Asia-Pacific Gateway, we have the largest celebration outside Asia.

I wish every British Columbians a prosperous and happy new year.

Last month I have the opportunity to join a trade mission to China with the Minister of Forests, the Minister of State for Immigration and Multiculturalism Services and the Member for Alberni-Qualicum.

Together with more than sixty delegates from the forestry and related sectors from British Columbia we participated in the opening of the Dream Home Canada Presentation Center in Shanghai.

The completion of Phase One of the Dream Home Canada Project is a milestone in the expansion of market share for BC wood products and building technology in China.

The delegation toured some wood-frame construction sites using BC wood products in Suzhou, a city of the Jiangsu Province.

Mr. Speaker, I also visited Tianjin with some delegation members.
Tianjin is the nearest port to Beijing, only one and half hour’s drive from the Capital city.

The Vice Mayor of Tianjin gave a warm reception to the delegation.
Its economic zones are eager to establish closer trade relationship with cities of British Columbia.

We toured some furniture and wood flooring manufacturing facilities as well as development projects, which have generated a lot of discussions among the delegation members.

In conclusion, with a population of 1.3 billion people and an economy growth rate of more than eight percent a year in the last two decades, China has a shortage of wood.

It is anticipated that it will import at least 9 million cubic meters of wood every year.

The potential for British Columbia export is tremendous.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.