OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and at the invitation of the government of the People’s Republic of China, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, along with their daughter Marie-Éden, will conduct a visit to China, from June 30 to July 5, 2010. They will be accompanied by Canadian delegates working in various fields.
“I am very much looking forward to undertaking this important visit to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations with China, a friend to Canada and an important partner whose significant role we have recognized and promoted within the international community. What we have accomplished together over the last four decades is remarkable and I am certain the future will be just as promising,”said the Governor General.
“It is always a tremendous honour to represent Canada and its values and perspectives around the world. After greeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Halifax, I will travel to China, stopping first in Shanghai, where Expo 2010 has chosen to celebrate Canada on July 1. It is with pride that I will tell the people of China, on behalf of all Canadians, how much we cherish the strong, historical ties that unite us.”
Their Excellencies will also travel to Guangzhou in the province of Guangdong, the driving force behind China’s economic boom and the region from which most Chinese-Canadians emigrate. The visit will end in China’s most populous province, Sichuan, in Chengdu notably, which was struck by a devastating earthquake in 2008 that killed more than 80,000 people and where Canadian solidarity played a major role. In every region and city, Their Excellencies will highlight the numerous partnerships that Canada and China have developed and, along with the accompanying delegation, they will explore opportunities to strengthen and diversify these partnerships.
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Media Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
meletourneau@gg.ca
