2004/28 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY

THE HONOURABLE GAR KNUTSON,

MINISTER OF STATE (NEW AND EMERGING MARKETS),

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE CANADA-CHINA

BUSINESS COUNCIL SHENYANG OFFICE

SHENYANG, China
February 18, 2004

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you.