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NEWS RELEASES

October 16, 1997 No. 166

MANITOBA CELEBRATES

CANADA'S YEAR OF ASIA PACIFIC

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Manitoba has hosted 31 cultural projects to date and will showcase a number of exceptional works this fall to mark Canada's Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP). Mr. Axworthy made the announcement following on the success of "Asia Connects," a national high-tech youth conference held in Winnipeg from September 28 to October 5, which focussed on Canada's relationship with the Asia Pacific region.

"This series of special events is enabling Manitobans to witness first-hand the diverse cultures, practices and histories of countries in Asia Pacific," said Mr. Axworthy. "I am delighted that so many people in this province are taking part in Canada's Year of Asia Pacific, and that awareness of the region is building. As Asia Pacific continues to experience significant changes and economic growth, Manitobans are well positioned to be trade allies and partners in progress."

Numerous CYAP projects are scheduled for the balance of the year, including:

a special return engagement by Kazuhiro Koizumi, former Music Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, who will perform as part of the Symphony's 50th Anniversary Celebration (October 30 to November 1);

a performance by the Folkloric Ballet of Chile, (October 20 to 22); and

an Asian Heritage Film and Video Festival, featuring rare films from South Asian cultures presented by the Winnipeg Film Group (November 14 to 20).

The Government of Canada has designated 1997 as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific in honour of its role as this year's chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Activities planned across the country, throughout the year,

include business and trade seminars at the local and national level, cultural and youth events, as well as a series of APEC ministerial meetings. CYAP will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vancouver, November 24 to 25, when the Prime Minister will host economic leaders from Asia Pacific.

Over $77 000 has been provided by the CYAP cultural program in support of CYAP projects in Manitoba. Funding for CYAP cultural projects was provided for in the February 1997 federal budget, and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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A list of CYAP projects in Manitoba is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

CYAP Regional Media Relations Co-ordinator

Leigh Sigurdson

(204) 284-2221

Visit the CYAP Web site at:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/~cyap-acap

For more information on CYAP cultural events, visit the CYAP Cultural Web site at: http://www.cyap.com

List of CYAP-funded projects in Manitoba