Bilateral Relations

Globalization is affecting the environment as well. Since pollution knows no boundaries, international cooperation is needed to solve domestic environmental problems. With environmental issues high on the world's agenda, the pace of ministerial meetings between the two countries has quickened. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's visit to China in 1998 was followed by Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Ottawa the following year. In January 2000, Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale led a mission to China to discuss resource management policy, and in March of that year, Minister David Anderson and Minister Xie Zhenhua met during the 1st JCEC in Vancouver, Canada.

"The world's environmental condition has become an unprecedented and prominent fixture on the global political agenda."

The Hon. David Anderson,
1st JCEC

These increased high-level discussions have translated into a growing number of activities to address global issues such as climate change.