No. H178/05
For release September 2, 2005
BEIJING - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre has successfully completed
his official business in Beijing, concluding the first part of his significant
transportation mission to the People's Republic of China. This mission, taking
place from September 1 through 7, also includes stops in Shanghai and Hong
Kong, where various transportation issues will be discussed, including the
promotion of Canada as a gateway to North America.
"China is a key trading and economic partner for Canada," said Mr. Lapierre.
"I am very pleased to lead a delegation of transportation industry leaders to
help promote open dialogue and create opportunities for future exchanges. These
are exciting times for the transportation sector, and indeed for our two
countries."
Joining Minister Lapierre on the mission is a business delegation consisting
of Members of Parliament Roger Gallaway and Don Bell; British Columbia's
Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon; officials from the provinces of
British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan; and more than 30 senior executives
representing Canadian airports, passenger and cargo airlines, ports, railways
and transportation-related associations.
A highlight of the Beijing portion of the mission was the highly successful
Canada-China Aviation Symposium. This event, which was very well attended by
senior executives from both Canadian and Chinese aviation industry stakeholders,
consisted of panels on aviation training, airport growth opportunities, air
passenger services and air cargo services. It also fostered Canadian and Chinese
discussions on key issues within these areas.
Following the launch of this symposium, Minister Lapierre participated in a
number of bilateral meetings with high-level Chinese officials, including his
counterpart, Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the General Administration of Civil
Aviation of China (CAAC). They will meet again in Ottawa on September 8, 2005,
during the official visit of China's President Hu Jintao.
Minister Lapierre also met with Mr. Liu Ahijun, the Minister of Railways; Mr.
Wang Qishan, Mayor of Beijing; Mr. Zhu Zhixin, Executive Vice Chairman of the
National Development and Reform Commission; and Mr. Zhang Chunxian, the Minister
of Communications.
An important agreement was also signed during this portion of the mission: a
Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation on Civil Aviation Safety
between Transport Canada and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of
China signed by Minister Lapierre and Minister Yang Yuanyuan. It will help
facilitate the free movement of aeronautical products and services between the
two countries.
"Canada is proud of the excellent and extensive technical cooperation in
aviation with China," added Mr. Lapierre. "This agreement reinforces Canada's
continuing support and leading role in promoting aviation safety worldwide."
Another key agreement announced during the visit to Beijing was the
certification of the Mechtronix Systems Inc. Full Flight Simulator to the
highest standards by China's civil aviation administration. Mechtronix Systems
Inc. is one of Canada's leading aerospace companies and its simulator is
installed at the Flight Simulator Training Centre of Civil Aviation Flight
University of China.
The transportation mission to China 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. Minister Lapierre and the delegation will now proceed to
Shanghai for the second leg of the mission.
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Contact:
André Fortin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
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