Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomes Chinese President HU

June 18, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China, will conduct a state visit on June 23-25. 
 
“Canada and China are laying the groundwork for a new decade of growth by deepening cooperation in a wide number of areas,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “It is a fitting tribute to 40 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual respect and collaboration.”
 
During their meeting, Prime Minister Harper and President Hu will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, including opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.
 
President Hu’s visit builds on the successful visit by Prime Minister Harper to China in December 2009.
 
 

Backgrounder

Canada-China Political Relations

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Canada-China diplomatic relations.  Canada engages with China on a comprehensive range of issues, including trade and investment, energy and the environment, health, governance, and science and technology cooperation.  Canada has almost 40 bilateral cooperation instruments with China involving a wide range of federal government departments.  Canada and China work together in international forums such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the World Trade Organization and the G-20.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to China in December 2009 brought new momentum to the relationship.  The Chinese government granted Approved Destination Status to Canada.  Both sides agreed to expedite negotiations of a China-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, encourage further growth of bilateral trade and enhance cooperation on clean energy.  Our two countries also signed agreements on climate change, mineral resources, culture and agricultural education.

The strong high-level engagement with China has continued since the Prime Minister’s visit.  In 2010, the five federal ministers visited China, discussing subjects as diverse as fisheries and oceans, agriculture, trade, finance and foreign affairs.  In addition to these ministerial visits, three provincial premiers, Gordon Campbell of British Columbia, Ed Stelmach of Alberta and Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, visited China in May.
 
Strong people-to-people ties exist between the two countries.  There are over 1.3 million Canadian residents of Chinese origin and over 42,000 Chinese students studying at Canadian educational institutions.  China is one of the largest sources of immigrants to Canada.


Canada-China Trade and Economic Relations

China continues to be Canada’s second largest two-way trading partner, by country, after the United States.  Bilateral merchandise trade with China totalled $50.8 billion in 2009. Canadian merchandise exports to China amounted to $11.2 billion in 2009, a 6.6 per cent increase from 2008.  In 2009, Canada’s main merchandise exports to China were oilseeds (mainly canola seeds), wood pulp, mineral ores, machinery, and mineral fuels and oils.  China continues to be Canada’s second largest source of imported merchandise; imports for 2009 were valued at $39.7 billion.

Canadian direct investment in China stood at $3.3 billion at the end of 2009; a substantial number of Canadian firms are investing in that country.  At the end of 2009, the stock of foreign direct investment from China into Canada reached a peak of $8.85 billion, compared to $5.2 billion in 2008.