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."

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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.