Inaugural flight of direct air link - Mayor of Montréal will visit China from February 16 to 19, 2017, to strengthen links between Montréal and Shanghai

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal and official responsible for international relations, and President of Metropolis, the World Association of the Major Metropolises, the Honourable Denis Coderre, will visit Shanghai, China, from February 16 to 19, 2017. This mission emphasizes the inaugural flight of the new Air Canada direct air link between Montréal and Shanghai.

"As the Montréal representative, I am pleased to be part of this inaugural flight between Montréal and Shanghai. This new direct air link is the result of efforts undertaken as part of bilateral cooperation, especially since my mission to China in the fall of 2015, and is a springboard for our future relations. Shanghai is a dynamic metropolis, whose relations with Montréal have lasted for more than 30 years. This new air link will be an opportunity to promote economic, tourist, academic, cultural and social exchanges between our two cities," said Mayor Coderre.

During his short visit to China, the Mayor of Montréal will be received by the new Mayor of Shanghai, Ying Yong. Mayor Coderre will deliver a keynote address to a business audience of guests at a gala dinner organized jointly by the Canada China Business Council and Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in Shanghai.

"Cities play an increasing role on the international scene, by working together toward meeting common challenges. As active members of Metropolis, the association of major metropolises of the world over which I preside, I believe that Montréal and Shanghai can make a difference by addressing concrete, global issues, together, including sustainable development and the fight against climate change." added Mayor Denis Coderre.

Official exchanges between Montréal and Shanghai date back to May 14, 1985, when a first protocol was signed. Remember that in the fall of 2015, a new protocol was signed between the Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre, and the Mayor of Shanghai at the time, Yang Xiong, to promote exchange in the economic, cultural and environment fields. This was all part of an economic mission led by Mayor Coderre who visited Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong with his delegation.

Air traffic at the Montréal-Trudeau international airport has increased by 7% last year, an additional 1.1 million passengers, for a total of 16.6 million passengers. With this seventh consecutive annual increase, Montréal-Trudeau once again ranks third in terms of traffic in Canada.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source: Marc-André Gosselin, Attaché de presse, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, 514 290-1194; Information: Gonzalo Nunez, Relationniste, Service des communications, 514 868-1127