| Trade Relations with China
October 20, 2005
Trade Relations with China Private Members' Statement I would like to pay tribute today to a great and growing partnership between our province and the people of China. Over the next five days B.C. will host a delegation from Guangdong province. Led by Governor Huang Huahua, nearly 600 major leaders of government and representatives of enterprises will visit Vancouver and Victoria. While in B.C. the delegation will meet with representatives from our new Asia-Pacific trade council, a key component of the Asia-Pacific gateway strategy announced in February's Speech from the Throne. Their visit will culminate on Monday in Vancouver with a Hong Kong–Guangdong business forum hosted by Governor Huang and Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang. More than 1,000 political and corporate leaders will participate in this forum to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between our two regions. Last year two-way trade between Canada and the Hong Kong–Guangdong region amounted to $9 billion. B.C.'s links to Hong Kong and Guangdong are deep. Many British Columbians were born there, and have brought their skills and vibrant culture with them to our province. In fact, this year marks the tenth anniversary of B.C. and Guangdong being officially twinned as sister provinces. Since 1985 Vancouver has served as the sister city to Guangzhou, Guangdong's capital city. It is vital that we continue to foster strong ties and friendship with all our Asia-Pacific partners. As our province continues to grow, we need to build on our relationships with the world's emerging economies, including Guangdong, to promote British Columbia's goods and services and keep our economy moving forward. Please join me in welcoming our friends from Guangdong and Hong Kong to Canada's gateway to the Asia-Pacific and offering our best wishes as our harmony continues to blossom. |
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