The deals signed on Thursday involve companies in sectors from seafood to clean technologies, the trade minister said ahead of a speech by Trudeau.
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The prime minister talked trade and investment with business leaders and a group of women entrepreneurs. “But I know this visit to China – first time as prime minister of Canada – will certainly leave you a deep and new impression”, he said.
He noted that he told both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in meetings this week in Beijing that accepting a diversity of perspectives will strengthen China, just like it has in Canada.
“This is an important element that Prime Minister Trudeau is promoting in his visit to China”, said Guy Saint-Jacques, who joined Trudeau at the Great Wall of China for an announcement that the countries would co-operate on the development of Chinese national parks.
Trudeau is now in Beijing on a week-long visit to strengthen ties between Canada and China, and will attend the G20 summit in Hangzhou before his arrival in Hong Kong on Monday.
Canada’s ambassador to China says the government will announce that seven additional visa offices will open in the Asian country. I am encouraged by the discussions today, and know they will go a long way in fostering understanding between our two countries and creating opportunities for our middle class.
“China will play a central role in shaping the global landscape in the years to come, and it’s in the best of our countries’ interest to develop a stronger partnership”, Trudeau said.
Additionally, he welcomed $1.2 billion in commercial agreements between Ottawa and Beijing that he said would generate jobs for middle-class Canadians.
Trudeau also met Thursday with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People.
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. As a part of that MOU, Air Canada, the country’s largest air carrier, will launch a flagship store on the site targeting Chinese tourists and leverage Alitrip’s user base and resources to tap the burgeoning travel market between China and Canada. Trudeau will also attend the G20 summit.Trudeau is also trying woo more Chinese tourists to Canada via Alibaba’s in the online travel agency Alitrip and mobile payment service Alipay.
Canada is committed to reaching a long-term and permanent canola deal with China at an early date, Freeland said.
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Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the bank will make an important impact on the Canadian economy through infrastructure investments.
