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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>2004/28 <u>CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY</u></strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>THE HONOURABLE GAR KNUTSON,</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>MINISTER OF STATE (NEW AND EMERGING MARKETS),</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE CANADA-CHINA</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>BUSINESS COUNCIL SHENYANG OFFICE</strong></font></p>
<p><font size="+1"><strong>SHENYANG, China<br>
February 18, 2004</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Thank you for your introduction, [Canadian] Ambassador [Joseph] Caron.
Vice-Governor Wu, Mayor Chen, distinguished guests, it is a great pleasure for me to
be here in Shenyang and to join with you today to celebrate the opening of the
Canada-China Business Council [CCBC] Shenyang Office.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I would like to extend my congratulations to the CCBC on the key role it has played in
expanding Canada-China trade and investment links in the past 25 years. The
establishment of this new office in Shenyang will certainly facilitate greater cooperation
between Shenyang and Canada, Liaoning and Canada, as well as further enhance our
existing relations for the years to come.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I would also like to take the opportunity to express our appreciation for the warm
welcome and support the Liaoning provincial government and Shenyang municipal
government have bestowed upon me and my colleagues. The establishment of the
CCBC Shenyang Office would not have happened without the commitment from the
leaders of Liaoning province, such as Liaoning Party Secretary Wen, Liaoning Governor
Bo and Shenyang Mayor Chen.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">My visit to Shenyang demonstrates Canada's commitment to you, to China. This is my
first visit to China in my new capacity as the Minister of State for New and Emerging
Markets. My goal is to experience China first-hand--to better understand the strengths
of China's flourishing economy; the direction and trends of China's economic
development; business climates; and recent successes in our cooperative
projects--and to identify areas and opportunities for further collaboration. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I believe together we can expand on our partnerships, and I look forward with great
anticipation to seeing this promising future unfold for the betterment of both countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Thank you.</font></p>
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