NEWS RELEASES
QIAO SHI, CHAIRMAN OF CHINA'S NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS, TO VISIT CANADA
April 4, 1996 No. 63
QIAO SHI, CHAIRMAN OF CHINA'S NATIONAL PEOPLE'S
CONGRESS, TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
Raymond Chan today announced that Qiao Shi, one of China's most senior leaders,
will pay an official visit to Canada from April 11 to 20.
Mr. Qiao is responding to an invitation extended by Speaker of the House of
Commons Gilbert Parent and Speaker of the Senate Gildas Molgat.
"Qiao Shi is committed to the development of the rule of law in China, an
objective that the Canadian government wholeheartedly supports," said Mr.
Axworthy. "The visit is an excellent opportunity for Canada and China to exchange
views on a number of fronts and to further the relationship between our respective
parliamentarians."
"As Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC),
Qiao Shi has been instrumental in emphasizing the importance of good governance
and reform of the judicial system to China's modernization," said Mr. Chan.
In addition to meetings with Mr. Axworthy, Mr. Chan, the Speakers, Governor
General Roméo LeBlanc and Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton, Qiao Shi
will attend a working lunch April 15 hosted by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
During his visit to Canada, Mr. Qiao will also visit Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and
Vancouver before returning to China on April 20.
The NPC is the body within the Chinese system that most closely resembles Canada's
Parliament. It is responsible for drafting and passing the laws of the land and
is playing more of a role in government decision making than it did 10 years ago.
Recently, important changes to the handling of criminal cases were
legislated, which, if implemented, could offer increased protection for human
rights in China.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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