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).