September 19, 1996 No. 165

CANADA AND CHINA SIGN CONSULAR UNDERSTANDINGS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Mr. Qian Qichen, the Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, today signed two understandings on consular relations between Canada and the People's Republic of China.

The first understanding provides for Canada to retain its consular presence in Hong Kong, through its Consulate General, after the territory's transition to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997.

"Our continued presence in Hong Kong ensures that we can keep on providing consular services to Canadians who live, travel or do business there," said Mr. Axworthy. "Hong Kong is an important trading partner for Canada, and people-to-people ties complement and reinforce our commercial links. This understanding is part of our efforts to ensure a smooth transition in 1997."

The second understanding provides for the extension of the consular territories of Canadian consulates in China and Chinese consulates in Canada.

Under the terms of this understanding, the consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Vancouver, which currently comprises the Province of British Columbia, will be extended to include the Province of Alberta and Yukon Territory. The consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, which at present comprises the Province of Ontario, will expand to include the Province of Manitoba.

At the same time, Canada's Consulate General in Shanghai, which at present comprises Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province, will also include Anhui Province. The consular district of the Canadian Consulate in Guangzhou, which currently comprises Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Nationality Autonomous Region, will include Fujian Province and Hainan Province.

"These changes in consular responsibility will help our missions in China to provide improved service to Canadians," said Raymond Chan, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), who witnessed the signing ceremony.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

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