Qingdao, China - Yesterday, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, began a trade and cooperation mission in Qingdao and Beijing, China.
“China is the top consumer and producer of fish and seafood products in the world. Its importance as an export market for Canada is growing rapidly,” said Minister Ashfield. “While meeting with Chinese companies and officials, I am highlighting Canada's ability to produce a variety of high-quality, safe and nutritious fish, seal, and seafood products and build on existing trade relationships.”
Minister Ashfield is hosting industry roundtable meetings between potential importers and exporters of Canadian products while attending the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao, China. The China Fisheries and Seafood Expo is the largest of its kind in Asia.
He will also meet the more than 50 Canadian exhibitors present at the Expo and host a networking reception to help the industry build stronger ties in China and the broader Asian market.
Minister Ashfield will meet with several Chinese government officials, including:
- Niu Dun, Vice-Minister and Head of the Fisheries Bureau in the Ministry of Agriculture, to further strengthen ties between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Chinese Ministry’s Fisheries Bureau, and to make progress in developing a new Memorandum of Understanding on fisheries cooperation; and
- Liu Cigui, head of the State Oceanic Administration, to follow up on the Canada-China Memorandum of Understanding on ocean science cooperation.
"Building upon previous, successful agreements made by our government with China, we are advancing Canada's interests in developing broader cooperation on trade and increased collaboration on fisheries and oceans management," said Minister Ashfield. "Canada's trade partnership with China is important - particularly with regards to fish, seal, and seafood products - and I am committed to advancing this already strong and growing relationship."
Related information:
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For more information:
Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537
Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-HQ-11-18E
