A first for the Council of the Federation, the mission visited the established coastal cities of Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the economically thriving inland port city of Chongqing.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and PEI Premier Robert Ghiz, as well as Pierre Marc Johnson, personal representative of Québec Premier Jean Charest, led a delegation of more than one hundred business, research and educational institution representatives who met with Chinese counterparts to discuss and initiate new projects between China and Canada.

Canada and China have a $48 billion trading relationship – a relationship that has more than doubled over the past five years and that reaches most parts of our economy. The mission provided an excellent opportunity to promote Canadian businesses to Chinese business and government leaders, and to discuss ways of increasing trade and investment between the two countries.  

Links:

November 6, 2008 - Premiers Complete Successful Canadian Leaders’ Mission: China 2008

November 3, 2008 - Premiers Meet with Senior Chinese Leaders in Beijing and Announce Key Projects During First-ever Council of the Federation Mission to China

September 24, 2008 - Media Are Invited to Canadian Leaders’ Mission: China 2008, November 2 to 7, 2008

July 7, 2008 - Council of the Federation and Canada-China Business Council Organize Joint China Mission for November

Photos:

Premier McGuinty delivers remarks at the opening session of the 2nd Canada China Business Forum in Beijing.		Premier McGuinty speaks with Chinese Vice Governors from Hebei, Henan, Hunan and Shandong.
Premier Doer speaks to Chinese and Canadian media at a news conference in Beijing, while other Premiers and Pierre Marc Johnson look on.		Premiers Doer, Graham, McGuinty, Ghiz and Mr. Johnson meet with Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
Premiers walk in traditional Chinese alley in Chongqing.		Premiers interact with Chinese school children in Chongqing.
Premier Graham and Ghiz inspect lobster display in Chongqing.		Premiers, and CCBC Honorary Chair, André Desmarais, meet with Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai, Mr. Sha Hailin and key officials.
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