BEIJING, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ -The Premiers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Yukon met with senior Chinese political leaders and senior business leaders in Beijing as part of the Council of the Federation mission to China, taking place September 10 to 20, 2012.
Premiers met with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan who serves under Premier Wen Jiabao in the State Council of the People's Republic of China. During the meeting, Premiers discussed their ambitious trade and investment agendas in which Chinese markets play a key role.
Premiers also met with Chen Deming, China's Minister of Commerce. During the meeting, Premiers discussed Canada's relationship with China with $65 billion worth of trade in 2010 and $15.4 billion worth of two-way investment. Canada's provinces and territories play an important role in developing and maintaining this economic relationship. Premiers also discussed numerous opportunities to expand investment, given the conclusion of the Canada-China Foreign Investment and Protection Agreement negotiations.
In addition, Premiers met with Li Fanrong, CEO of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Fang Zhi, President, CNOOC International Ltd. The meeting focussed on the leadership role of Canadian provinces and territories in natural resources trade and investment.
Premiers also had productive meetings with Huang Danhua, Vice-Chairwoman of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Committee (SASAC) and Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice-Minister and Deputy Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
"These meetings with senior Chinese leaders were extremely useful and key to the Premiers' goal of building and deepening productive relationships between provincial/territorial governments and counterparts in China," said Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, Chair of the Council of the Federation.
While in Beijing, Premiers also participated in events organized by the Canada China Business Council, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
Premiers are leading a delegation of 110 business and institutional leaders on the mission. Premiers and delegates will proceed to Shanghai on September 15 and to Hong Kong on September 19. The Council of the Federation mission ends on September 20.
The Council of the Federation comprises all thirteen provincial and territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive relationship among the provinces and territories and with the federal government.
Image with caption: "Official Photo: 2012 Council of the Federation Mission to China. (CNW Group/Council of the Federation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120914_C6607_PHOTO_EN_17877.jpg
SOURCE: Council of the Federation
Shawn Fuller
Office of the Premier of Nova Scotia
902-240-7575
[email protected]
Lindsay de Leeuw
Council of the Federation Secretariat
613-851-5978
[email protected]
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