January 25, 2005 (3:45 p.m. EST)
No. 16

MINISTER PETERSON AND CANADIAN BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES CONCLUDE
SUCCESSFUL TRADE MISSION TO CHINA

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today concluded a successful Canada Trade Mission to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, China, the largest ever led by a trade minister. During the mission, which took place from January 18 to 25, 376 Canadian delegates from 280 companies and various government departments and agencies further developed commercial ties in China and established new ones with Chinese partners. More than 100 agreements were signed between Canadian and Chinese companies.

“The number of sectors represented on this mission shows how eager Canadian and Chinese business people are to explore bilateral commercial opportunities. Governments in both countries are actively putting into place frameworks to help make that happen,” said Minister Peterson. “With China redefining global trade, a China business plan is no longer an option for Canadian companies; it’s a must.”

In the past week, Canada and China have signed 10 agreements that will further stimulate commerce and cooperation in the areas of culture, the environment, natural resources, commercial insurance, agriculture and food safety, science and technology, nuclear energy, and education. Joint statements were also issued that outlined further commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in a number of key areas, including multilateral cooperation, natural resources, energy, and trade and investment. Finally, a common paper was issued to define the scope of the Canada-China strategic working group, further progress was made on a foreign investment protection agreement and China agreed to recognize Canada as an officially approved travel destination.

In Shanghai, the largest commercial centre in China, in Hong Kong, the major hub in financial services and transportation, and in Beijing, the political centre, delegates from across Canada used the trade mission to network and develop useful relationships during sectoral workshops, plenary sessions and networking events.

Prime Minister Paul Martin helped the Canada Trade Mission during his visits to Beijing and Hong Kong from January 20 to 23, where he met with Chinese political leaders and business people and Canadian delegates.

China is Canada’s second-largest single-nation trading partner after the United States, and its first in Asia. Priority sectors for this trade mission included agriculture and agri-food, information and communications technologies, aerospace, biotechnology, education, natural resources, transportation, financial services and tourism.

Canada is facing new challenges, but also remarkable opportunities in the global marketplace. It is actively building an emerging markets framework, which will be informed by the trade missions to China and Brazil, an upcoming trade mission to India in the spring and a series of ongoing consultations with Canadian stakeholders.

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A backgrounder is attached that lists the companies that signed agreements on this mission.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Backgrounder

CHINA TRADE MISSION

Agreements signed in Shanghai

All International Investments and Development Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with Shanghai CAS Shenglongda Biotech (Group) Co. Ltd. to assist them in acquiring financing to research, manufacture and market biotechnology products in China and North America.

America Institute of Technology of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a contract with Shanghai Brainstorming Business Consulting Company Ltd. to set up a home care aid certificate program in Shanghai.

Atlantic International Enterprises Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a contract with Shanghai Atlantic Aquatic Ltd. to supply 580,000 kg of Canadian seafood to China.

BTI Photonic Systems Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario, signed a contract with Effect Technologies to provide services and products in order to build optical networking services in Jiangsu province.

Canadian-China Business Investment Group of Toronto, Ontario, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shanghai Thundering Environmental Investment Co. Ltd. to create joint ventures for infrastructure projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, thermoelectric power plants and other environmental projects in China.

Dajin Resources Corporation of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Jiuzhou Gansu Jiuzhou Exploration and Mining Co. Ltd. and Tianshui Lantian Geological and Rock-soil Engineering Co. Ltd. to form a joint venture to explore and develop a gold prospect within the Xihe-Chengxian mineralization belt in Gansu province.

Kingston College of Niagara Falls, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with Shanghai Sibo Polytechnic College to promote academic cooperation and exchange.

LComm Inc. of Markham, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with Star Lands Developments of Shanghai to facilitate the marketing of LComm wireless access equipment to local Chinese builders and property managers.

Living Bridge Corporation of Toronto, Ontario, signed a contract with the Hongkou district of Shanghai municipality to develop and restore the historic Ti Lan Qiao area of Shanghai, one of the city’s 12 heritage sites.  

Mon-Hai International Centre of Montreal, Quebec, in partnership with the International Federation of Multimedia Associations, signed an MOU with Shanghai Multimedia Valley Lead Group Office to promote international and Canadian multimedia products and services to Shanghai and China.

SNC-Lavalin International Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, signed a contract with Eltech Science Technology International Co. Ltd. of Shanghai, to build a coal-based methanol plant in the city of Qufu, which is located in Shandong province. The initial phase of this project is a feasibility study.

Trans-Pac Fibre Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with Taichung City to explore the feasibility of building a specialized wood processing plant in Taichung; this plant would convert quality logs from North America into wood products to be sold to wholesalers in Korea and Japan that specialize in musical instruments, doors, windows and other wood construction materials.

Valdor Fiber Optics Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an agreement to acquire Shanghai Opel Technologies Inc. by exchanging shares between the two companies. Shanghai Opel Technologies designs, manufactures and provides high-quality fibre-optic products and services.

Wavesat Inc. of Dorval, Quebec, signed an MOU with Hangcom Technology Ltd. of Shanghai to supply technology and leading-edge wireless chips to build broadband wireless access system equipment.

Agreements signed in Beijing

3L International Corporation Group Inc. of Richmond, British Columbia, signed a letter of agreement with Henshui High-Tech Industrial Development Zone of Hebei to develop a Canadian high-tech industrial park near Beijing.

A1 Petroleum Ltd. of Regina, Saskatchewan, has signed three letters of intent to create a Saskatchewan-based company to develop oil and natural gas resources. The new company will sell in various markets, with a goal of tapping into the growing Chinese market for petroleum. The three agreements are with the following companies:

•         Zhejiang Xiangsheng Real Estate Development Co. Ltd.;

•         Jilin Provincial Huang Investment Group; and

•         Changchun Huashang Group.

A1 Soybean Enterprises Ltd. of Regina, Saskatchewan, signed a joint-venture agreement with Yushu City to build a soybean peptide distilled spirit plant in Jilin province. This plant will manufacture soybean peptide white wine and other soy peptide spirits to sell in the Chinese market.

A1 Soybean Enterprises Ltd. also signed a sales agreement with Ecom International Commercial Chains Co. Ltd. to market five soy health-food products. This agreement provides for the use of A1’s ground-breaking soybean peptide technology in five soy-based health-food products to be manufactured and sold in China.

A1 Soybean Enterprises Ltd. also signed a letter of intent with Jilin Provincial Hua Investment Group Co. Ltd. to invest in reforestation activities in Canada using Jilin Provincial’s innovative irrigation technology.

AKD International Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed an MOU with the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, to build the Beijing International School to meet the needs of expatriates and diplomatic communities, in cooperation with the New Brunswick Department of Education and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alliance Pacific Resources Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed a joint venture with Xinjiang Baodi Mining Co. Ltd. to explore and develop gold, copper and other mineral resources in northern Xinjiang.

Alliance Pacific Resources Inc. also signed an MOU with the Xinjiang Bureau of Geology, Mineral Resources, Exploration and Development to develop mining facilities in Xinjiang.

America Institute of Technology of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed two contracts with Guangdong Social Science University, one to set up an English training school, and the other to develop a management of information technology diploma program.

America Institute of Technology also signed two contracts with Hubei University of Technology to set up the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program Test Center in Wuhan, and to develop a professional computer information system diploma program.

America Institute of Technology also signed a contract with Guangdong University of Foreign Studies to set up an English training school in Guangzhou.

Atlantic Education International Inc. of Moncton, and the New Brunswick Department of Education, New Brunswick, signed an MOU with AKD Beijing International Inc., the Chinese Beijing Housing Service Cooperation for Diplomatic Missions, to meet the educational needs of expatriates and diplomatic communities attending the new Beijing International School.

Arius3D Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario, signed an MOU with Five Star Electronic Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, to supply, install and commission a series of three-dimensional imaging systems throughout China. This technology will allow museums and art institutions to digitize and archive key cultural and heritage artifacts.

Bit and Bits Technologies Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an agreement with Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary College to develop an exchange program.

Bombardier of Montreal, Quebec, signed a contract with China’s Ministry of Railways for the supply of 20 high-speed trains.

Please see No. 16 - Modification - January 25, 2005 (http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.asp?publication_id=382093&language=E).

Bradley Pacific Enterprises of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with China Star International Economic and Technological Corporation to export 20,000 tonnes of Canadian wire rods to China.

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) of Burnaby, British Columbia, signed five partnership agreements:

•         with Nanjing College of Information Technology, Fuzhou Vocational and Technical College, Wuxi Vocational College of Science and Technology and Zhangzhou Professional College of Technology to provide educational programs in computer systems for dual diplomas from both Canadian and Chinese institutions; and

•         with Jiangsu Economic and Trade Vocational Technology Institute to provide educational programs in broadcasting and media for dual diplomas from both Canadian and Chinese institutions.

The BCIT also signed two MOUs:

•         with Dalian Mapleleaf Education Systems Group to provide educational programs in computer systems technology, business and administration, transportation logistics, computing numerical control, automotive service and broadcasting; and

•         with Changzhou International School to establish a partnership that would allow high school graduates from this school to attend various BCIT programs.

Canada International Management Institute of Ottawa, Ontario, signed an MOU with Niulanshan First Secondary School to jointly establish an international school offering both Chinese and Canadian high-school diploma programs.

Canada LVC International Investments Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a contract with Beijing Chaolai Green House Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. to develop a French-style residential real estate project.

Canada LVC International Investments Inc. also signed a contract with the People’s Government of Taishitun, Miyun county, to develop the White Dragon Pond scenic area in Miyun county, Beijing.

The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) of Ottawa, Ontario, signed an MOU with the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China to build on an initiative started in 2002 to test the efficiency and system stability of data exchange technology. The work is to be undertaken by GEOMAX International of Brossard, Quebec.

Canadian Foundation Center for International Education of Mississauga, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with Chongqing University of Post and Telecommunications to set up an international college, the Sino-Canadian International College, and provide education programs in computer sciences in China.

Canadian Foundation Center for International Education also signed a contract with Shengyang Ligong University to set up the Sino-Canadian International College and provide education programs in computer sciences in China.

Canadian FutureTek Diagnostics of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Beijing Hygiene and Medical Co. Ltd. to export and market three diagnostic products in the Chinese health-care market.

The Canadian Wheat Board of Winnipeg, Manitoba, signed a contract with China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Corporation Ltd. for one million tonnes of wheat.

Canadian-China Business Investment Group of Toronto, Ontario, signed a contract with Dalian Yongan Pipe Fittings Co. Ltd. to create a joint venture to set up leading-edge pipefitting manufacturing plants for worldwide distribution.

Canadian-China Business Investment Group also signed an MOU with Changchun Xincie Corporation (CITIC Group) to facilitate joint-venture projects in biotechnology, pulp and paper and high technology and to provide consulting services to access North American stock markets.

Canwen Management Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, with Jin-Fang Li, signed a purchase agreement with Baotou Kangli Pharmaceuticals. Canwen will take the newly purchased entity public in Canada, and intends to further the company’s growth by attracting outsourcing contracts from North America’s larger pharmaceutical companies.

Electrotemp Technologies Inc. of Brampton, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with Dagang Development Company (Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone) of Beilun to expand Electrotemp Technologies’ factory space in Ningbo.

Entrust Ltd. of Ottawa, Ontario, signed a joint venture with China Aerospace New World Technology Ltd. of Beijing to form Asia Digital Media, which will provide a secure interactive broadband platform for China’s satellite-based digital television deployment plans. In addition, Asia Digital Media will resell Entrust’s products and services in China.

Federal International Finance Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a cooperation agreement with Baota Petrochemical Group of Yinchuan to provide financial consulting services in order to list the group on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Federal International Finance Inc. also signed a contract with Beijing Chaolai Red Sun Food and Service Co. to provide financial and consulting services in order to list the company on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Global Economic and Cultural Exchange Association of Richmond, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with the China National Garments Group Corporation of Beijing to jointly host a Chinese Cultural and Economic Week in Vancouver in October 2005.

Hanfeng Evergreen Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed a contract with the Jiangyan municipal government, Jiangsu province, to build a plant to produce sulfur-coated urea fertilizer.

Henry Global Consulting Service Ltd. of Ottawa, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with the Changchun Trade School to establish a joint training program for automobile service technicians to help meet the growing demand in China for these services.

Huge Bird International Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed a letter of intent with Zhang JiaKou City to provide educational services to the municipality and consulting services to Canadian enterprises willing to set up operations there.

Interedu Services Center Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with Shanghai Business College to set up a pre-course for a Master of Business Administration program.

Interedu Services Center Inc. also signed a letter of intent with Shanghai International Medical Exchange Center to develop a training program in Shanghai to prepare nurses for registered nursing education in Canada.

International Education Alliance Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed three memorandums of understanding:

•         with Beijing Huijia Private School to manage a pre-university program to train Chinese students in English to facilitate their admission to Canadian universities;

•         with the Chinese Society of Vocational and Technical Education to train teachers from various vocational institutes in English and other programs; and

•         with Beijing Union University Pinggu College to accept Chinese graduates’ credits when they study in Canada for their bachelor degrees and to train teachers from Pinggu district in English.

International Informatization Academy of Montreal, Quebec, signed an MOU with Asian United Investment to develop the distribution of bottled water in China.

Intrawest Corporation of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with the Jilin City Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau to develop the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin province, which will host the 2007 Asian Winter Games.

JTe Environmental Resources Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed a contract with Shenzhen Universal Star Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd. to purchase 50 percent of the Chinese company with a view to increasing both companies’ market share of China’s environment protection industry.

JTe Environmental Resources Inc., also signed a contract with Shenzhen Century Huajian Investment Co. Ltd. to acquire 40 percent of the Chinese company to increase its investment in environmental protection projects in China.

Lansbridge University of Fredericton, New Brunswick, signed a contract with Beijing University to offer joint on-line Master of Business Administration courses to students from all over China.

Leaseco Realty Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Real Estate Development Group of Beijing to create a joint venture for commercial and residential real estate development in China, including construction, leasing, and management activities.

Machina International Machinery Corporation of Richmond, British Columbia, signed a contract with Beijing Xu Ri Insurance Agency Ltd. to acquire a controlling interest in the Chinese company, which is licensed by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission to sell insurance.

Mon-Hai International Centre of Montreal, Quebec, signed an MOU with the Science and Technology Service Centre of China Technology Market Association to create the China-Canada Science and Technology Service Centre (CCSTSC). This organization will focus on technology commercialization and market and the development of intellectual property protection services for CCSTSC joint projects.

Newton College of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Xian International Study Universities to establish an overseas student recruitment centre. They will also set up a Canadian English language and diploma program in partnership with Brock University of St. Catharines.

Newton Education Center Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Xian SiYuan University to develop six levels of an English curriculum. The organizations will explore the possibility of establishing a college in Canada.

Nortel Networks Ltd. of Brampton, Ontario, signed an MOU with China Putian Corporation to create a joint venture for research and development, manufacture and sale of 3-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications equipment and products to customers in China.

Norwest Corporation of Calgary, Alberta, signed an MOU with Sinopec to provide specialized geological consulting services and advice to assist Sinopec in evaluating natural resource investment opportunities in Western Canada.

Polar Genetics Group of Edmonton, Alberta, signed seven letters of intent:

•         with Nelson Medical Co. Ltd. to create a joint venture to provide swine breeding supplies and technology to the Asian market;

•         with Sichuan Nanjiang Yellow Goat Co. Ltd. to create a joint venture to develop and promote the “Nanjiang Yellow Goat”;

•         with Guangzhou Animal Husbandry General Corporation to develop a swine genetic centre;

•         with Heilongjiang SenYu Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd. to develop a network of swine artificial insemination centres in Heilongjiang province in order to provide advanced swine genetics to local swine producers;

•         with Sichuan XinMu Animal Husbandry and Poultry Breeding Co. Ltd. to develop a swine breeding centre in Sichuan province;

•         with Guangdong Taishan Changjiang Foodstuff Co. Ltd. to further develop and improve its purebred breeding pig nucleus operations in China; and

•         with Guangdong Huanong Wens Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd. to further develop and improve its purebred breeding pig nucleus operations in China.

Qamg Corporation of Toronto, Ontario, signed a five-year sales agreement with Shenzhen Jinao Investment Development Co. Ltd. to supply crude oil (bunker oil) to China.

Richway Group of Richmond, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with the Xian municipal government to build, supply, install and operate four straw-to-energy projects that will provide the city with an estimated annual output of 1.6 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.

Silk Road Resources Ltd. of Toronto, Ontario, signed a cooperative joint-venture contract with Baiyin Sanxin Minerals Co. Ltd. and with Gansu Jigzhou Minerals Exploration Co. Ltd. to explore and potentially develop mineral deposits in Gansu province.

Sun Hang (Canada) Travel of Richmond, British Columbia, signed a letter of intent with the Organizing Committee of the sixth China Flower Expo to increase horticultural and technical exchanges between Canada and China.

Taishan International High-Tech Corporation of North York, Ontario, signed a contract with Shandong New-Tech Pharmaceutical Institute of Jinan to facilitate the export of medical equipment and technology to China to help advance the country’s scientific research and economic development.

TCM Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed four joint-venture agreements:

•         with China Dickson Holdings to build wood-framed housing in the city of Yan Qing;

•         with Wuhu Shijie Hardware Co. Ltd. to open a subsidiary-branch outlet in Toronto;

•         with Taizhou Baile Pumps Ltd. to open a subsidiary-branch outlet in Toronto; and

•         with Zhejiang Huarong Exhaust Purification Co. Ltd. to open a subsidiary-branch outlet in Toronto.

Terra Remote Sensing Inc. of Sidney, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Eachtech (Beijing) Technology Development Co. Ltd. and China South Grid to provide aerial digital imagery services to the China South Grid electrical utility company.

Terrawest Energy Corporation of Calgary, Alberta, signed an MOU with China United Coalbed Methane Corporation to set up production and share contracts for coalbed methane projects in Xinjiang province.

TTA Technology Training Associates Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed three memorandums of understanding:

•         with Beijing BCIT Science and Education Consulting Co. Ltd., to market, manage and help implement British Columbia Institute of Technology’s educational and training programs;

•         with China Career Managers Coalition (CCMC), to develop training programs for Chinese professional managers in Canada and China; and

•         with the Transport Human Resource Centre of the Research Institute of Highways, to develop an English training program for Chinese candidates planning to continue their post-secondary education at BCIT.

UC Global Group Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed an MOU with Harmony Real Estate (Chongqing) Inc. to invest in Harmony Real Estate (Chongqing) Inc. and to develop real estate projects in China, especially in Chongqing and Nanning residential real estate projects.

UCANDU Toronto College of Toronto, Ontario, signed a contract with Lincoln School of Foreign Language Studies in Urumqi, Xianjiang province, to supply accelerated learning training kits.

UCANDU Toronto College also signed a contract with Guangzhou Fountain Tec Development Co. Ltd. of Guangdong province, to supply accelerated learning training kits.

VSM MedTech Ltd. of Coquitlam, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Chongqing Born Science and Technology Co. Ltd. to promote sales of magneto-encephalography systems (brain imaging technology) in China, and to establish an innovative generator parts manufacturing facility in the medical park in Chongqing North New Area.

Wireless Edge Canada of Calgary, Alberta, signed two outsourcing partnership agreements with SureKAM Corporation to distribute Wireless Edge products in the Chinese market and to provide technical support and system integration services for the mutual promotion of the two companies’ technologies, products and services.

Agreements signed in Hong Kong

LComm Inc. of Markham, Ontario, signed a contract with 999 Real Estate Ltd. of Shenzen to provide wireless local area network connectivity for the Royal Suites and Towers, a hotel owned and operated by 999 Real Estate. LComm also signed a letter of intent with 999 Real Estate to facilitate joint manufacturing and distribution of LComm wireless technology in China.

Michael H.K. Wong Architects Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, signed a contract with Canada Star Way (Macau) International Investment and Development Ltd. to provide architectural services for the Coloane Tourist Development project in Macau.

Michael H.K. Wong Architects Inc. also signed, as a prime consultant, a contract with Canada Star Way (Macau) International Investment and Development Ltd. to provide an urban design study for the Coloane Village in Macau.

Mon-Hai International Centre of Montreal, Quebec, signed an MOU with Salon Films (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Shen Hong Corporation Ltd. to develop joint projects in multimedia, financial services and logistics services between China, Hong Kong and Canada.

Northstar Trade Finance Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Zhuhai Zhongfu Plastic Closure Co. Ltd. to facilitate the purchase of a multi-layer plastic film line and two injection moulding machines, which will be used to further expand the plastics operations of the company.

Perceptronix Medical Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed an MOU with Speed Fair Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, which will manufacture cancer diagnostics equipment and distribute it in China.