Prime Minister Strengthens Relations with China through Tourism, Joint Investment Initiatives

On his visit to China, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched several new initiatives to bolster the Canada-China relationship. PM Harper launched the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s new 2012 tourism marketing campaign, which will promote tourism in Canada. . PM Stephen Harper and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also witnessed the signing of new joint initiatives and the renewal of existing bilateral initiatives between the two countries in the areas of energy, natural resources, education, science and technology, and agriculture, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on sustainable development of natural resources, and an MOU on protected areas and parks. Two MOUs were renewed, one on energy cooperation and the other related to the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange program. In addition, a statement of intent was launched for proposals for joint research and development under the Canada-China Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation. The conclusion of negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) between Canada and China was also announced with the signing of a Declaration of Intent by Canada’s Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Ed Fast, and China’s Minister of Commerce, Chen Deming.