Government of B.C. to Establish National Centre on Contemporary Asia, in Partnership with APF Canada and Government of Canada

Vancouver, BC - The Government of British Columbia has announced plans to establish a National Centre on Contemporary Asia, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Government of Canada.  The National Centre, to be located in Vancouver, is intended to build on the growing role of B.C. as Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway.

Foundation Chairman Dr John McArthur welcomed the announcement, which was included in this week’s Speech from the Throne.  “Premier Campbell has taken a leadership role in building Canada’s ties with Asia so it is fitting that the B.C. Government should support a national, rather than simply a provincial, institution of this type.”  The Foundation, which is federally chartered, is committed to working with the province to ensure the successful establishment of the Centre.

The global economic crisis has underscored the importance of Asia for the world economy, said Yuen Pau Woo, President and CEO of APF Canada.  “The importance of Asia is not just in terms of its growing economic weight; Asian countries are playing an ever larger role in global governance,” Mr. Woo said.

Asia is integrating at an unprecedented pace, with discussions on formal regional cooperation taking place at many levels.  “Canada must play a more active role in the emerging institutional architecture of the Asia Pacific.  A national centre will strengthen our capacity and our credentials as a committed player in the region,” he added.

Recent investments in transportation infrastructure have already enhanced B.C.’s role as Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway.  The next phase of B.C.’s Asia Pacific initiative will be to build the “Gateway Economy” – soft infrastructure, skills, services, networks and cultural assets that connect the province, and through it Canada as a whole, more deeply with Asia.  The National Centre on Contemporary Asia will be central to this effort, Mr. Woo said.

During a recent visit to Asia, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Canada’s prosperity will increasingly depend on ties across the Pacific.  Mr. Woo said a National Centre on Contemporary Asia would serve as a tangible demonstration of Canada’s commitment to broader and deeper ties with the fastest growing and most dynamic region in the world.

For additional information, please contact:

Yuen Pau Woo
President and CEO
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: 604-630-1524
Email: president[at]asiapacific[dot]ca

Jessica Brunt
Media Coordinator
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: 604-630-1541
Email: jessica.brunt[at]asiapacific[dot]ca