Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the launch of the Tmall Global storefront at Alibaba’s Hangzhou headquarters.
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Canada-based cover artist Ramon Perez told NPR he originally envisioned Trudeau shirtless, but later drew a tank featuring the country’s signature maple leaf when Marvel thought it too risque.
“I remind everyone that as a country that has seen first hand the benefits of free expression and good governance – Canada encourages China to do more to promote and protect human rights.”
Ahead of the talks, China announced on Saturday that it has ratified the emissions-cutting agreement reached last year in Paris, giving a big boost to efforts to bring the accord into effect by the end of this year. He added, “His only superpower, as far as I know, is awkwardly playing Beatles medleys on piano”.
But today’s deadline for the change was lifted earlier this week after Trudeau met in Beijing with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
“Gentlemen, it’s 2016”, he said.
Canada plans to open seven new visa application centers in China to enable Chinese tourists to acquire visas easily when they wish to travel to Canada.
Canadian ambassador Guy Saint-Jacques called it an important element of the visit. I look forward to addressing all topics of interest – including good governance and the rule of law – as we pursue more regular and frank dialogue.
With the higher-stakes political discussions behind him, Justin Trudeau’s week-long mission to foster Canadian-Chinese relations adopted a lighter tone Friday.
Chinese and Canadian firms signed 56 deals worth more than C$1.2 billion ($914.8 million) at a ceremony on Thursday, Canadian trade minister Chrystia Freeland said in Shanghai.
On Thursday, Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire, explored the Great Wall with their daughter Ella-Grace. Chinese tourist travel to Canada rose 24 per cent in the first six months of this year, said Saint-Jacques.
The portion of the Wall they walked was temporarily closed to the public – providing them with a peaceful section to stroll, away from the usual hordes of visitors.
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Also Wednesday, Canada and China signed a memorandum of understanding on a film co-production treaty; agreed to a program of co-operation from 2017 through 2019 under the Canada-China cultural agreement; and agreed to a statement of co-operation between Parks Canada and China’s National Development and Reform Commission on the establishment, conservation and management of national parks systems. Besides Hangzhou, Trudeau’s tour also includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong SAR.
