No. H174/05
For release August 22, 2005
OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre will lead a transportation
mission to the People's Republic of China from September 1st through 7th,
2005. The mission includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong to discuss
various transportation issues including Canada as a gateway to North America,
as well as aviation, marine and intermodal opportunities.
"This mission is an excellent opportunity to promote Canada as a gateway to
North America, discuss our approaches to air, marine and intermodal
transportation and encourage bilateral exchanges between our two countries,"
said Mr. Lapierre. "It will also provide Canadian businesses with the chance to
strengthen commercial ties with their Chinese counterparts."
Mr. Lapierre will be accompanied by a business delegation including more than
30 senior executives representing Canadian airports, passenger and cargo
airlines, ports, railways and transportation-related associations. Also
participating in the mission will be British Columbia's Minister of
Transportation, Kevin Falcon, as well as officials from the governments of
Alberta and Saskatchewan.
While in Beijing, Mr. Lapierre will hold bilateral meetings with his host,
the Minister of the Civil Aviation Authority of China on various air
transportation issues, as well as with other senior Chinese officials and
counterparts. Mr. Lapierre will also launch the Canada-China Aviation Symposium
and tour Beijing Capital International Airport.
In Shanghai, Mr. Lapierre will meet with Shanghai municipal authorities to
discuss transportation issues and open the Canada-China Intermodal Roundtable.
He will also tour the Yangshan Deep Water Port and meet with representatives of
major transportation firms.
In Hong Kong, Mr. Lapierre will meet with senior Chinese officials to discuss
issues of mutual interest and promote Canada as the North American gateway. He
will be the keynote speaker for a breakfast with the Canadian Chamber of
Commerce in Hong Kong and meet officials from the local business community. Mr.
Lapierre will also tour Hutchinson Container Port Facilities at Hongkong
International Terminals.
This mission is being convened in support of the Government of Canada's and
Prime Minister Paul Martin's goal of encouraging sector-specific missions,
following the Prime Minister's trade mission to China in January 2005.
A backgrounder with a list of the participating companies
or organizations that will make up the business delegation is attached.
- 30 -
Contact:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date
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BACKGROUNDER
2005 TRANSPORTATION MISSION
TO CHINA BUSINESS DELEGATION
Representatives of the following companies and organizations will make up the
business delegation:
Air Canada
Air Transat
Air Transport Association of Canada
AllCanada Express Inc.
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Inc.
Canadian Airports Council
Canadian Pacific Railways
Cargojet
Canadian National Railway Company
DAA (Daniel Harbour Associates)
Edmonton International Airport
Fraser River Port Authority
Fraser Surrey Docks
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Greater Vancouver Gateway Council
Halifax Port Authority
Harmony Airways
Le Groupe S.M. International Inc.
Montreal Port Authority
P & O Ports Canada Inc.
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Railway Association of Canada
Siemens Canada Limited
SNC - Lavalin
The Calgary Airport Authority
TSI Terminal Systems Inc.
Vancouver International Airport Authority
Vancouver Port Authority
Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.
August 2005
