Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced that Canada and China have reached seven new agreements designed to enhance co-operation in the areas of transportation, food safety and nuclear energy, in addition to issuing a joint declaration on science and technology. The Prime Minister witnessed the signing of the agreements together with Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, following bilateral discussions.
"These new agreements and this joint declaration signal the continued growth of a multi-faceted partnership between Canada and China," said the Prime Minister. "They will strengthen Canada's interdependent engagement with China and will benefit citizens of both countries."
The agreements include increased collaboration on nuclear energy research and development, including advanced reactor systems, safety and design codes, and sustainable fuel cycles. A new bilateral air accord provides for a three-fold increase in passenger and cargo flights to support the growing and important links between China and Canada. It also contains strong aviation safety and security provisions. Additional accords include food safety, plant and animal health, reproductive health and railways.
The signing took place during a state visit to Canada by President Hu from September 8 to 11 and 16 to 17.
The two partners also issued today a joint declaration in science and technology cooperation. The Participants will conduct a joint "Complementarity Study" to identify areas of science and technology research, such as climate change and sustainable energy, with the greatest potential for mutually beneficial collaboration, to recommend mechanisms most appropriate for stimulating the desired expansion of bilateral research partnerships, and to address other issues that may be a factor in developing enhanced science and technology collaboration.
Additional information on the agreements is attached.
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NEW CANADA-CHINA BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
Background
Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Air Transport
The new Bilateral Air Services Agreement replaces the previous agreement, and provides for a three-fold increase in permitted passenger and cargo flights to be operated by more airlines between more city pairs and under more flexible operating conditions than under the previous agreement. It will support the growing and important commercial links between China and Canada. The agreement also contains strong aviation safety and security provisions.
Memorandum of Understanding between Department of Transport of Canada and the Ministry of Railways of the People's Republic of China Concerning Railway Cooperation
The Memorandum of Understanding between Transport Canada and the Ministry of Railways of China on railway cooperation formalizes existing cooperation between China and Canada, and paves the way for more exchanges. Areas where exchanges could take place include technological cooperation on railway heavy haul transportation, railway Electric Multiple Units, railway container transportation, railway communications and signalling as well as railway personnel training cooperation. In the Canadian context, many of these exchanges will involve the active collaboration of private sector railway stakeholders.
Memorandum of Understanding between Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China Regarding Food Safety and Animal and Plant Health Cooperation
This MOU is intended to more formally establish a bilateral process to build upon existing collaborative efforts on food safety and plant and animal health between both organizations, including exchanges of information regarding science, risk assessment and risk management approaches. It formalizes an earlier agreement which provides for regularly scheduled meetings between Canada and China on food safety, animal and plant health.
Workplan between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China on Export Phytosanitary Requirements for Ya Pears
This workplan lifts the suspension of the importation of Ya pears from the provinces of Hebei and Shandong, which had been suspended due to repeated interceptions of a quarantine pest. This workplan facilitates contact between each organization in order to ensure the safeness of the Ya pears exported to Canada.
Agreement of Cooperation between Ministry of Railway of PRC and Bombardier Inc., Canada on EMU & Construction of EMU Maintenance Centre
This commercial agreement confirms the Chinese Ministry of Railways' intention to continue to purchase 200 km/h electric multiple units (EMUs) trainsets from Bombardier and its Chinese joint venture, Sifang Power Qingdao, and that Bombardier and the Ministry of Railways will jointly establish a maintenance centre dedicated to EMUs. Participants have also agreed to develop a new type of EMU trainset which could reach speeds higher than 200km/h, feature sleeping coaches, and a full restaurant.
Agreement on Health Research between the University of Ottawa Health Research Institute and the Chinese Academy of Sciences
This memorandum of understanding will establish research links between the University of Ottawa and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, beginning in the area of reproductive health, and will promote the exchange of research personnel between the two institutions in order to allow faculty members and researchers from one institution to carry out joint research and academic meetings at the other institution.
Agreement for Nuclear Energy Cooperation
This arrangement between Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) calls for further collaboration on nuclear energy research and development, including advanced reactor systems, safety and design codes, and sustainable fuel cycles as called for by a memorandum of understanding signed in Beijing in January 2005.
