Roadmap to Asia-Pacific

Transport Minister heads successful mission to China

October 19, 2005

Beijing China > China is the world's fastest growing major economy and has become Canada's second-largest two-way trading partner. A safe, secure and efficient transportation system will be needed to support these growing and important commercial ties. As such, both countries must ensure that their transportation systems are up to the opportunities and challenges of moving an increasing number of goods and people.

Transport Minister Jean Lapierre and the Chinese Minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation, Yang Yuanyuan, sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation in Aviation.

To further this increased growth and cooperation, Transport Minister Jean Lapierre recently headed a successful transportation mission to China. The mission, which took place from September 1 to 7, consisted of stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and included a business delegation, two Members of Parliament and western provincial government representatives.

While in China, Minister Lapierre made a point of promoting Canada as the gateway to North America. He emphasized that for Chinese businesses, the closest major deepwater port and the closest international airport in North America are both located in Vancouver. The Prince Rupert Port and the Port of Fraser River are also important and expanding deepwater ports with increasingly strong ties to trade with Asia. Shipments from China can get to the interior of North America more quickly and at lower cost by using the Canadian transportation system.

Minister Lapierre also signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation in Aviation, which will facilitate the free movement of aeronautical products and services and share knowledge and technology. He also discussed the Canada-China bilateral air agreement that is expected to triple flights between Canada and China in the near future, and a new memorandum of understanding on railway cooperation that paves the way for exchanges on railway heavy haul container transportation. Both agreements were signed on September 9 in Ottawa, following the mission.

Looking to the future, Minister Lapierre and his Chinese counterpart agreed to review a bilateral agreement on maritime transportation, first signed in 1997, and discussed the need for increased maritime safety and security in light of growing trade between Canada and China and evolving international concerns.

This mission was convened in support of Prime Minister Paul Martin's goal of encouraging sector-specific missions following his trade mission to China in January 2005, and in support of the Government of Canada's International Policy Statement, tabled in April 2005, identifying China as a key commercial partner.

For more information, go to www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2005/05-h182e.htm.