Chinese entrepreneur group to launch Canada tour to promote cooperation

BEIJING - Seeking new business opportunities and a chance to engage with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a group of Chinese tycoons is to embark on a trip to Canada, only weeks after an exchange of high-level visits by the two countries' leaders.

The China Entrepreneur Club (CEC), the premier business leaders platform in China, will launch on Sunday an eight-day Canadian journey, with plenty of focus on strengthening cooperation in finance, technology and cultural consumption.

Trudeau, who had just met with CEC members in Beijing only six weeks ago, will host the delegation at the Willson House residence on Meech Lake. His frequent exchanges with the CEC is seen by many as a "strong signal" indicating business cooperation between private sectors of the two sides will soon enter the fast lane of development.

The CEC said it will mainly look into the policy landscape of Canada and seek fresh opportunities during visits to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

A series of important face-to-face meetings will also be arranged with leaders in finance, technology and innovation and consumer goods, it said.

The trip comes at a time when Beijing and Ottawa are joining hands to create a "new golden decade" in bilateral relations, evidenced by an exchange of visits by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Trudeau within one month.

China-Canada relations have improved steadily since last year. Trade volume between the nations reached $55.7 billion in 2015, and Trudeau promised a doubling in trade with China by 2025 during Li's trip to Canada in late September, the Chinese premier's first official visit to the country in 13 years.

The Canadian prime minister made his first official visit to China in late August and early September, when he also attended the Group of 20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

According to Ma Weihua, CEC president, the main purpose of the group's international tours is to bolster public diplomacy of the Chinese private sector, demonstrate the integrity of Chinese entrepreneurs, learn from the most advanced business environments of the world and seek opportunities for cooperation.

More business opportunities have been created thanks to the recent improvement in bilateral relations between China and Canada, Ma said, adding that the mission of the entrepreneurs is to turn enthusiastic cooperation wills into practical business projects.

Canada is the 11th destination for the CEC's annual visits, following successful trips to the United States, Britain, France, Belgium, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Italy, the European Union and the United Nations.

Established in 2006 as an NGO by 31 Chinese business leaders, the CEC is committed to nurturing entrepreneurship and business integrity while promoting sustainable economic and social development.

Its 50 members include billionaires who oversee companies that together amass over 3 trillion yuan (about $445.8 billion) in annual income.