Statement
Date: December 3, 2009
For immediate release
PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT FOLLOWING BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT HU AND PREMIER WEN OF CHINA
“I’m very pleased to be here. This has been a great experience and, of course, an important and timely visit for our two countries. We have extensive shared interests and also great historic links, most visibly demonstrated by the over 1 million Canadians of Chinese descent.
“Premier Wen and I have had a positive meeting – just as President Hu and I did earlier today – and I want to thank both of them for their warm hospitality. This is a significant new era in our bilateral relations. Our discussions have been frank, forward‑looking and mutually respectful. We discussed the global economic situation; trade and investment; energy and environment; and health and governance, including questions of human rights.
“A number of important agreements were signed – some concrete steps forward in our relationship. I’m pleased that China has granted Canada Approved Destination Status. This could generate up to a 50 per cent boost in tourism, and obviously is timely given the upcoming Olympics. We’ve signed agreements on cultural exchanges between our two countries and on cooperation on climate change, energy conservation and green technologies. I’m also pleased that China has agreed to lift restrictions on the import of Canadian pork.
“I look forward to welcoming President Hu to Canada in 2010 as part of the G-20 meetings. I also look forward to welcoming Chinese athletes and fans to the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
“Thank you.”
