Minister promotes Canada ahead of the Canada-China Year of Tourism
BEIJING, China, July 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada has strong ties with China and is committed to building stronger business and tourism relationships that will help the middle class. This was the message delivered by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, as she concluded a successful five-day trip to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Guiyang and Beijing.
Minister Chagger began her trip in Shanghai by highlighting the importance tourism will have to both economies ahead of the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018. The Minister later travelled to Hangzhou, where she delivered a high-level keynote address at the She-ERA Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship, hosted by Alibaba.
Throughout her trip, Minister Chagger focused on the Government of Canada's commitment to stronger ties with China, especially through increased tourism. These ties will help build trade and create jobs for Canadians.
Quote
"Our government is committed to supporting Canadian businesses as they work to access new markets and create jobs, strengthening our middle class. I am very much looking forward to celebrating the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018 and to welcoming a record number of Chinese tourists. It has been a privilege to join His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on one of his final official visits. Visits like this help build the strong partnerships between our governments, our businesses and our people that will lead to future success."
– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Quick facts
- China is now Canada's second-largest single-nation trading partner. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and China totalled almost $86 billion in 2016.
- Canadians of Chinese descent account for roughly 4.5 percent of Canada's population.
- China is one of Canada's fastest-growing tourism markets and is now our third-largest tourism source market. In 2016, 610,000 Chinese nationals visited Canada and spent an estimated $1.25 billion.
- The Governor General's official delegation also included the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; Geng Tan, Member of Parliament and Co-Chair, Canada-China Legislative Association; John Barlow, Member of Parliament; the Honourable Thomas Mulcair, Member of Parliament; and the Honourable John McCallum, Ambassador of Canada to the People's Republic of China.
Associated link
Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT
Instagram: minofsbt
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Contacts: Jonathan Dignan, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, 343-291-2700; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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