September 3, 1998 No. 203

CHAN OPENS NEW CANADIAN CONSULATE

IN CHONGQING, CHINA

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.

"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."

Chongqing is situated on the upper Yangtze River and is home to approximately 30 million people.

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.

The Consulate in Chongqing is Canada's fifth mission in China; the others are in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

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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