Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change leads clean-technology business delegation to China and meets with the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development

OTTAWA, Dec. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, will travel to China from December 5-8, 2016 to lead a clean-technology sector business delegation with Canadian and Chinese companies, will have high-level meetings with her counterparts, and will serve as the international executive vice-chair of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

In Beijing and Guangzhou, Minister McKenna will support Canadian companies working in the clean-technology sector to identify and pursue business opportunities in the growing Chinese market. China represents the fastest-growing market for clean-technology industries, with a potential for business of over $63 billion. The Minister will encourage partnerships between Canada and China to identify solutions that will help both countries address the effects of climate change, accelerate the shift to a clean-growth economy, and create new opportunities and good jobs for Canadians.

Minister McKenna will also serve as the international executive vice-chair of the CCICED and will co-chair the council's annual general meeting with China's Minister of Environmental Protection, Minister Chen Jining. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss with China and the international community, pressing issues related to environmental and sustainable development policies as well as leadership on climate change.

During her visit, Minister McKenna will also participate in several bilateral meetings with her Chinese counterparts, to exchange on key policy issues, including environmental protection, clean energy and clean growth, and climate change. Minister McKenna will also discuss the Canada-China bilateral cooperation on the establishment, conservation, and management of protected parks and areas.

Minister McKenna will also encourage the people of China to take part in Canada's 150^th celebration by visiting our national parks and historic sites to experience and learn more about Canada's natural and cultural heritage.

Quote

"Canada has made it a top priority to establish a stronger and long-term relationship with China. As a major player on the world stage, China plays a lead role in accelerating the shift to a clean-growth economy. This clean-energy revolution provides great opportunities for Canada and for Canadian businesses who can offer clean-technology solutions to the world. By working together with key international partners such as China, we can address climate change in a practical way that creates economic growth, good jobs, and a better world for future generations."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• Minister McKenna's first visit to China builds on and reinforces the agreement between the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of the State Council (September 1, 2016 and September 23, 2016) to cooperate in addressing climate change through the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and to work together with international partners to strengthen the global response to climate change.
• The CCICED is a key avenue through which Canada maintains this important bilateral relationship. Canada helped to establish the CCICED, in 1992, and it has been the lead international partner of the CCICED, since that time.
• The CCICED is a high-level international advisory body that provides China's State Council (cabinet) with research-based policy recommendations on environmental and development issues.
• China is the world's second-largest economy and Canada's second-largest single-country trading partner.
• Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and China was nearly $85.8 billion in 2015.
• Canada's two-way foreign direct-investment relationship with China reached $33 billion at the end of 2015.
• During Prime Minister Trudeau's official visit to China, from August 30, 2016 to September 6, 2016, a statement of cooperation was signed between Parks Canada and the National Development and Reform Commission of China regarding the establishment, conservation, and management of protected areas.

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)