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<title>CHAN OPENS NEW CANADIAN CONSULATE IN CHONGQING, CHINA</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">September 3, 1998 No. 203</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CHAN OPENS NEW CANADIAN CONSULATE </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">IN CHONGQING, CHINA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today officially opened the
Canadian Consulate in Chongqing, China. At a ceremony attended by Chinese
governmental and local officials, Mr. Chan reaffirmed Canada's commitment to
deepening relations with China's interior.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"It is especially gratifying for me to be here today to celebrate the opening of
Canada's first consulate in China's heartland," said Mr. Chan. "We recognize the
special emphasis China's leadership places on the development of Chongqing and its
surrounding regions, and we wish to be partners with you in achieving this."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Chongqing is situated on the upper Yangtze River and is home to approximately 30
million people.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Historically, Canada has had strong ties to the Chongqing area. Canada's first
embassy in China was in Chongqing when it served as the capital during World War
II, and, since 1986, Chongqing has been the official sister city of Toronto.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Consulate in Chongqing is Canada's fifth mission in China; the others are in
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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