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NEWS RELEASES

No. 207

November 14, 1996

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES

CANADAS YEAR OF ASIA PACIFIC AND UNVEILS WINNING LOGO

The Government of Canada announced the designation of 1997 as Canadas Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP) as Transport Minister David Anderson, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan and design student Amy Ho unveiled the official CYAP logo today at Vancouver Technical High School.

"As a people and as a trading nation, Canada's ties to the Asia Pacific community run deep," said Raymond Chan. "This special year will celebrate our Pacific dimension and help us build even stronger partnerships in Asia Pacific to create opportunities for Canadians from coast to coast."

In 1997 Canada will chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which will culminate with the Economic Leaders Meeting in Vancouver in November. Canadas Year of Asia Pacific is a year-long initiative to promote increased business relations, youth involvement and cultural exchanges to broaden understanding within the Asia Pacific region.

Amy Ho, a first-year graphic and visual arts design student at Kwantlen University College in Richmond, B.C., submitted the winning logo design concept in a nation-wide contest open to all college and university students enrolled in graphic or visual arts courses. Composed of a crane whose wings evoke the Canadian maple leaf, and with waves representing the Pacific Ocean, the logo will be featured on all official correspondence, posters and other materials, and will be used for all events and activities related to CYAP, including the 1997 APEC Leaders Meeting.

"Our young people need to be aware of the importance of Canadas relationship with the Asia Pacific region," said David Anderson. "I would like to congratulate Amy Ho for translating her recognition of this fact into a symbol that Canadians will come to associate with Canadas Year of Asia Pacific over the next 12 months."

During Canada's Year of Asia Pacific, the Government of Canada is encouraging business and business associations, youth and cultural organizations as well as other groups to focus on Asia Pacific in their activities. The government is currently organizing events, such as business forums and trade fairs, around APEC meetings being held across Canada in 1997 to help Canadians strengthen their partnerships and learn more about doing business in Asia Pacific.

Other key events include the January Team Canada 1997 trade mission to South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines; a youth conference and other activities involving youth; as well as cultural activities to underscore the breadth of Canada's close ties with the region and the importance of cultural understanding in doing business in Asia Pacific.

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Three backgrounders and a calendar of events are attached.

For further information contact:

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Media Relations Office

(613) 995-1874

or

Internet at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Canada's Year of Asia Pacific Logo

Backgrounder

The Logo

The official logo for Canadas Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP) has cleverly integrated the Canadian maple leaf, the suggestion of a body of water, and the crane - a symbol of peace and longevity associated with Asia. The crane is a bird that can unite many geographic areas travelling as it does without boundaries; the waves symbolize the movement of the Pacific Ocean and the dynamism of the region; and finally, as the maple leaf completes the tail of the bird, the stroke becomes more "dry brush," reminiscent of Asian calligraphy.

The logo will be featured on all official correspondence, posters and other materials, and will be used for all events and activities related to CYAP, including the 1997 Vancouver APEC Leaders Meeting.

Organizations wishing to apply for use of the logo and designation of an activity as an official CYAP event can visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trades CYAP site on the Internet at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

or call: 1-800-267-8376 or (613) 944-4000 (National Capital Region)

The Student Winner

In September 1996, the Government of Canada sponsored a logo design competition for the official logo for Canadas Year of Asia Pacific. As part of the federal governments commitment to involve youth in CYAP, college and university students across Canada enrolled in graphics or fine arts courses were invited to submit their logo design concepts. Over 100 entries were submitted in competition for the $1500 prize, awarded to the winning concept.

Amy Ho, a first-year student at Richmond, British Columbias Kwantlen University Colleges Graphic and Visual Design program, submitted the winning design concept. Ms. Ho, 26, was born in Hong Kong and emigrated with her family to Vancouver in 1987. She studied at the Emily Carr School of Art for one year before choosing to enroll as one of only 20 students in Kwantlen University Colleges specialized Graphic and Visual Design program.

In addition to winning the $1500 award for the winning design concept, Ms. Ho will receive a one-month internship at Ken Koo and Associates, the Vancouver graphics design firm that refined the logo into its final format.

Canada's Year of Asia Pacific

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada is pleased to declare 1997 as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP). As a people and as a trading nation, Canada has deep ties to the Asia Pacific community. CYAP will celebrate Canada's Pacific dimension and help forge even stronger relationships.

The federal government will work in collaboration with business, cultural and youth groups to encourage them to focus their activities on Asia Pacific in 1997 and become fully involved in this initiative. Activities and events already being organized from coast to coast will offer unprecedented opportunities for all Canadians.

In 1997, Canada will chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which will bring many of the region's government and business leaders to cities across Canada. Created in 1989, APEC has emerged as the leading forum for promoting trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation and economic and technical co-operation in Asia Pacific.

The government will organize events, such as business forums and trade fairs, to help Canadians strengthen their partnerships and learn more about doing business in Asia Pacific. Other key events include the January Team Canada 1997 trade mission to South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines; a youth conference and other activities involving youth; as well as cultural activities to underscore the breadth of Canada's close ties with the region and the importance of cultural understanding in doing business in Asia Pacific.

CYAP will build on the strong foundation of co-operation that exists between Canada and Asia Pacific, and the momentum generated by the highly successful Team Canada trade missions. Led by the Prime Minister, Team Canada missions have opened doors for more than 700 Canadian businesses and helped secure more than $20 billion in new business deals.

Goals of Canada's Year of Asia Pacific

To expand Canada's economic partnerships with the Asia Pacific region and to equip Canada to play an increasingly dynamic role in the emerging Pacific community

To highlight the important role played by the Asia Pacific region in economic growth and job creation in Canada, in the life of the country and in global affairs

To increase participation in Asia Pacific markets by Canadian business by providing more information on opportunities in the region and on how best to act on them

To enhance cross-cultural understanding of common concerns related to peace and security, human rights and legal reform, environmental and social development, culture, education and other areas

To ensure a lasting legacy through new partnerships between Canadian and Asia Pacific business and cultural institutions, better collaboration between governments and the involvement of youth and Asian Canadians.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum

Backgrounder

As a Pacific nation and a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Canada has an important window on this dynamic part of the world. Formed in 1989, APEC is the principal intergovernmental vehicle for economic co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region. It has evolved into a key agenda-setting body, providing an important opportunity to advance Canadian interests.

Canada will see the world come to its doorstep in 1997 when it assumes the chair of APEC. The APEC Ministerial and Economic Leaders' meetings will take place in Vancouver in November 1997. Canada will also host three meetings of senior officials, several sectoral ministerial meetings - including talks on sustainable development, transportation, small and medium-sized enterprises, and energy - and several working group meetings.

Canada's participation in APEC is part of the government's commitment to strengthening Canada's presence in Asia Pacific to create jobs and growth at home and to expand Canada's global involvement and influence. The Team Canada missions to Asia, led by the Prime Minister, also underline Canada's commitment to expanding ties in this region.

As an APEC member, Canada can pursue specific objectives, such as expanding trade opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth and development, and making it easier to do business, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. APEC provides an opportunity for greater co-operation in key areas, including human resources development, telecommunications, energy, the environment, transportation and tourism.

Four of Canada's top 10 export markets and 11 of Canada's top 25 export markets are APEC members. APEC economies now consume half of Canada's total exports to markets outside the United States. Two-way trade with APEC economies (excluding the United States) increased by 20 per cent in 1995 to reach $62 billion. Canada's exports to APEC economies (excluding the United States) increased by 30 per cent in 1995 to $27 billion.

Asia Pacific has also become an increasingly important source of foreign direct investment and new technology for Canada. Japan is Canada's third-largest source of direct investment (valued at $12 billion in 1995) and second-largest source of portfolio investment ($43.5 billion in March 1996). Other Asia Pacific economies, such as Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and the Republic of Korea, have also become major investors in Canada.

APEC's 18 current members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

With a combined population of about two billion, APEC members had a combined gross national product of US$13 trillion in 1994, about half of the world's total annual output. APEC members represent nearly 50 per cent of the world's total merchandise trade. By the end of the decade, this figure is expected to rise to over 70 per cent. Foreign direct investment flows to the Asian region of APEC increased from US$5 billion in the 1981-1985 period to US$21 billion in 1992.

CANADA'S YEAR OF ASIA PACIFIC

PRELIMINARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

1997

As of November 14, 1996