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BEIJING – Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled plans today for the B.C.-Canada Pavilion, which will be British Columbia and Canada’s showcase to the world at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
“B.C. Canada Place was a major hit with the crowds at the 2006 Torino Games, with more than 100,000 visitors lining up to learn about our province and our country,” said Campbell. “Our presence in Beijing during the 2008 Games will promote the diversity of B.C. and Canadian business, art, culture and sport to the world.”
The unveiling was part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Premier and Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan to establish the pavilion at the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, at the city centre near the Forbidden City and the Great Hall of the People. Mayor Wang is also Executive President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.
The pavilion’s design will feature a striking series of wood arcs representing Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, located in the centre of Beijing. The wooden arcs represent one of British Columbia’s key industries, forestry. The perforated zinc and aluminum between the arcs will shine at night, representing the vastness of Canada stretching from coast to coast.
The pavilion’s external element was created by B.C. architect Bing Thom and will incorporate the use of existing space within the 21,000 square foot Exhibition Hall. The pavilion will operate from May to September 2008. An artist’s rendering of the B.C.-Canada Pavilion in Beijing can be found on the government of B.C. website at www.gov.bc.ca.
“After the 2008 Summer Games are complete, the world will focus on B.C. as the next Olympic host,” said Campbell, who also met with the 2008 Olympic Games organizing committee and toured venues for the Games. “The 2008 Summer Games are an invaluable occasion to leverage knowledge about Canadian and B.C. products and services, to increase international trade and investment, to raise awareness of tourism and culture, and to build awareness of B.C. as host of the 2010 Winter Games.”
While in Beijing, the Province and the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote two-way investments and expand trade and investment opportunities in B.C. and China.
Campbell is in Beijing as part of a mission to Japan and China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to promote British Columbia as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. This is his third mission to Asia, following visits to China and India in 2003, and China and Japan in 2001.
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To view photos of the Premier's meeting with the mayor of Beijing and the design for the B.C.-Canada Pavilion, visit www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca//DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=334
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Communications Director Office of the Premier 250 361-7783 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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