Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China visits Montréal - Li Keqiang is given the keys to Montréal

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 23, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal and President of Metropolis, the world association of large metropolises, the Honourable Denis Coderre, today met the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang, as part of a bilateral meeting.

This meeting between Mr. Coderre and Mr. Li was an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss a variety of subjects, including the economic, cultural, social and tourist links that unite Montréal and China. Prime Minister Li is visiting Montréal accompanied by a large delegation of Chinese business people. They will take part in a forum that brings together business leaders from China and Canada, which is organized by the Canada-China Business Council and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. 

The meeting was also an occasion for Mayor Coderre to give the keys to the city to Prime Minister Li as a gesture of deep and lasting friendship that Montréal and China have enjoyed for more than 30 years.

"The meetings and exchanges between our city and several Chinese cities were an opportunity to build bridges and develop productive partnerships, as well as sign agreements aimed at maintaining bilateral ties for challenging projects. Giving the keys to Montréal is a means to seal our friendship and it symbolizes openness to the future, a future where young Montrealers and Chinese people will get to know each other, share  knowledge, human and professional experiences, as well as discover our cities' multiple facets," said the Mayor of Montréal.

Remember that the Mayor of Montréal presided over an important trade mission in China in November 2015, aimed at strengthening economic, institutional and political ties between the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzen, Guangzhou and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At the same time, a new direct link between Montréal and Beijing was introduced with three weekly flights. Because of high demand, this link will increase to four flights per week starting in November.

We took advantage of Mr. Li's presence in Québec to announce the introduction of a new direct air link between Montréal and Shanghai. This new link adds to the direct Montréal-Beijing link that was inaugurated last year.

Also as part of the bilateral relationship between Montréal and Shanghai, the Chinese Garden at the Montréal Botanical Garden, which is one of the most spectacular traditional Chinese gardens outside Asia, is also a witness to our twinning with Shanghai. The seven buildings of the Chinese Garden are undergoing major restoration. The completely refurbished Chinese Garden will be inaugurated in 2017, as part of Montréal's 375th anniversary celebrations.

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

François Goneau, Relationniste, Service des communications, 514 868-5859; Source: Marc-André Gosselin, Attaché de presse, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, 514 290-1194