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Report of the Delegation

ANNUAL VISIT BY THE CO-CHAIRS OF
THE CANADA-CHINA LEGISLATIVE ASSOCIATION
TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

March 22 – April 1, 2006

Beijing, Guangzhou, Hainan Island and Hong Kong

 

Context:

 

The Co-chairs of the Canada China Legislative Association (CCLA) visited Beijing, Guangzhou, (Province of Guangdong); Hainan Island, and Hong Kong from March 22-April 1, 2006 as part of their annual visit to the People’s Republic of China. The annual visit by the Co-chairs of the CCLA was very timely and built upon the past accomplishments of the Association. The importance of parliamentary relations was emphasized by His Excellency Hu Jintao, the President of the People’s Republic of China when he met with members of the CCLA during his visit to Canada in September 2005. President Hu referred to the successful seven past bilateral meetings between Canadian and Chinese legislators and paid particularly homage to inter-parliamentary exchanges saying that they were an important component that played an irreplaceable role in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. President Hu stressed that the Canada China relationship was building on its past achievements and moving towards a strategic partnership aimed at promoting the long term and steady development of bilateral relations. This view was echoed by the Chinese Chair of the CCLA, Mr. Lü Congmin, who informed the Canadian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Robert Wright, that the CCLA relationship is maturing and renewing itself through such visits. The visit underlined the importance China attaches to Canada. It should be noted that Canada is considered one of China’s 14 key parliamentary partners alongside the United States of America, select European Union countries, Japan, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Australia, and India.

 

Objectives:

 

§   To renew the CCLA relationship in light of the Canada China strategic partnership;

§   To apprise the Chinese counterparts of the political situation in Canada;

§   To discuss the objectives and parameters for a China CCLA visit to Canada in June; and

§   To promote friendship and dialogue with Chinese counterparts.

Meetings: Beijing: Mr. Sheng Huaren, Vice-chair and Secretary General of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; Mr. Lü Congmin, Vice-Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee, National People’s Congress; Ms. Janet DeSilva, Chair Canada China Business Council (Beijing Chapter); Mr. Simon Pang, Atomic Energy Canada; Guangdong Province: Mr. Chen Jian, Vice chairman of the Standing Committee on Guangdong People’s Congress; Madame WEN Lan Zi, Director General of Guangdong Ethnic Religious Affairs Office; Canadian Business representatives in Guangdong; Hainan Province: Mr. Chen Sun Wen Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hainan People’s Congress; Ms. Liu Jin Deputy Director General of the Foreign and Overseas Affairs Office of Hainan Province; Mr. Zhang Jin Cheng, General Manager, Hainan Fruit Vegetable Food Allocation Co.

In addition, the Co-chairs received extensive briefings from Ambassador Robert Wright and his staff, the Consul General Tim Coughlin and his staff (Guangdong Province); Consul General Gerry Campbell (Hong Kong) and his staff. In addition, the Co-chairs visited Beijing Public School 25; Clifford School and Clifford Hospital (Guangzhou); the Canadian International School (Hong Kong) and the Centre for Health Protection (Hong Kong).

 

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