Visit of the Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., Speaker of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation, China

From January 4 to 8, 2016, the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., led a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The delegation was composed of the Honourable Senators Joseph A. Day, Pana Merchant, Ghislain Maltais and Victor Oh. Accompanying the delegation were Mr. Stuart Barnable, Chief of Staff of the Speaker of the Senate, and Mr. Simon Larouche, Secretary to the delegation.

While in Beijing, the delegation met with:

• His Excellency LI Yuanchao, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China;
• His Excellency ZHANG Dejiang, Chairman of the National People’s Congress;
• Mr. CHEN Changzhi, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress;
• Mr. HAO Ping, Vice Minister of Education; and
• Mr. SONG Tao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China.

In addition, the delegation participated in two roundtables with representatives from the Canadian business community in Beijing and from the Chinese civil society. It also visited the Canadian International School of Beijing, where Speaker Furey delivered a speech on the Canadian parliamentary system and the role of the Senate to over 200 Chinese students. The delegation also held a meeting at the non-governmental organization One Plus One, which supports people with disabilities. Finally, the delegation visited the Great Hall of the People and the Palace Museum (Forbidden City).

While in Xi’an, the delegation met with:

• His Excellency ZHAO Zhengyong, Party Secretary of Shaanxi and Chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress.

The delegation also visited the Museum of Qin Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, the Xi’an Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque, and the South Gate City Wall.

While in Shanghai, the delegation met with:

• Her Excellency YIN Yicui, Chairwoman of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress.

The delegation also met with representatives from the Canadian business community and visited the offices of the Canada Beef International Institute, Canada Wood and Manulife-Sinochem. In addition, the delegation toured the Shanghai Oriental TV Tower.

This visit to the People’s Republic of China was the first high-level Canadian parliamentary visit since 2011. In view of the recent celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China, the purpose of the visit was to renew and strengthen relations between the two countries by promoting the establishment of an ongoing parliamentary dialogue and future parliamentary exchanges. The visit provided opportunities to discuss foreign policies, international cooperation, trade and other issues of common interest.

View report.