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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>CHAN TO ATTEND SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM AND LEAD TRADE DELEGATION TO CHINA</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> August 19, 1998 No. 194 CHAN TO ATTEND SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM AND LEAD TRADE DELEGATION TO CHINA Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan announced today that he will attend the annual South Pacific Forum in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, on August 27 and 28. Mr. Chan will then lead a business delegation to China from August 30 to September 9. "This is an excellent opportunity for Canada to further strengthen our ties and demonstrate our commitment to the Pacific region," Mr. Chan said. "The Forum provides an opportunity to engage our Pacific neighbours on economic and environmental issues and to discuss early ratification of the Anti-Personnel Landmine Ban Convention." The South Pacific Forum is a gathering of the heads of government of 16 independent and self-governing states. Its objective is to foster and promote Pacific regional co-operation, particularly on economic, development and trade matters. Following the Forum, Mr. Chan will lead delegates from 34 Canadian businesses on a trade mission to China. The mission, whose stops will include Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Xiamen, will foster commercial ties between Chinese and Canadian entrepreneurs. In Xiamen the business delegates will be participating in the Xiamen International Trade and Investment Fair. While in Chongqing, Mr. Chan will open the new Canadian consulate. Mr. Chan will discuss political trade and economic matters as well as good governance and the rule of law during his visit. "This visit will stress the importance of establishing connections with the developing regional markets within China," Mr. Chan said. "China is more than just Beijing or Shanghai. Emerging sectors in these regional markets are uniquely suited for Canadian businesses, such as those in the areas of communications or infrastructure development." - 30 - A list of the business delegates accompanying Mr. Chan and two backgrounders are attached. For further information, media representatives may contact: Hilary Humphrey Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) (613) 995-1852 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca Visit to China of the Honourable Raymond Chan, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), August 30 to September 9, 1998 Business Delegation Asicana Consultancy Co. Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia Canada China Power Inc., Beijing, China (Team Canada company based in Beijing, established by three Canadian engineering firms: AGRA Monenco, SNC-Lavalin and Acres International) Canada-China Investment Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia CRRS Culture Regeneration Research Society, Burnaby, British Columbia Eicon Technology Shanghai Office, Pudong, Shanghai, China (Head Office, Montréal, Quebec) Etac Fashion (Xiamen) Ltd. (Head Office, Toronto, Ontario) Hillary Enterprises Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia Howlund International Corp., Edmonton, Alberta Mape Enterprises Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia Nortel (China) Ltd., Beijing, China (Head Office, Toronto, Ontario) Overseas Product Promotion, Toronto, Ontario Ulferts Furniture, Richmond, British Columbia Kryton International Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia Michael H.K. Wong Architects Inc., Toronto, Ontario Agra Construction (Wuhan, China) Ltd., Beijing, China (Head Office, Oakville, Ontario) Bank of Montreal, Toronto, Ontario Pan Pacific Commercial Law Offices, Vancouver, British Columbia Newbridge Networks Corporation, Kanata, Ontario Bank of Nova Scotia, Hong Kong, China (Head Office, Toronto, Ontario) Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Toronto, Ontario Global-Net Enterprises Ltd., British Columbia Remedios & Company, Vancouver, British Columbia Harris Canada, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec West Fraser Mills Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia P. Man Group, Vancouver, British Columbia Canadian Homes International Inc., Chilliwack, British Columbia GE Canada International Inc., Lachine, Quebec Silkway Travel, Vancouver, British Columbia Atlin Global Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia Beijing Toronto International Hospital, Toronto, Ontario CanCap Pharmaceutical Ltd., British Columbia Rick Hansen Enterprises, Vancouver, British Columbia Bridge Trust and Investment Group (U.S.A.-Canada-China), Vancouver, British Columbia Interport Development Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia Backgrounder SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM The South Pacific Forum is an annual gathering of the heads of government of 16 independent and self-governing states: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Its objective is to foster and promote Pacific regional co-operation, particularly on economic, development and trade matters. Canada is a post-dialogue partner and has been invited to attend meetings following the official Forum. Other partner members include the European Union, France, Japan, Malaysia, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Mr. Chan represented Canada at the 1997 Forum in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and at the 1994 Forum in Australia. Backgrounder CHINA AND CANADA Since 1978, Canada-China relations have dramatically improved in several areas. Canada has pursued a policy of multiple linkages with China, combining various elements: trade and economic partnership, peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, good government and the rule of law. The importance of the relationship between the two countries has been bolstered by several prominent meetings. Since 1994, there has been at least one high-level visit annually in either direction, as well as many visits by ministers and provincial premiers (Canada) and governors (China). Visits include Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Team Canada mission in 1994 and President Jiang Zemin's state visit to Canada in 1997. China's economy has more than quadrupled since 1978, while Canada-China trade has more than doubled since 1991. In 1997, with the repatriation of Hong Kong, China became Canada's third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade with China for the same year was approximately $8.5 billion. Canada ranks as the 16th-largest import source and 15th-largest export market for China. </body> </html>

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