Deeper Canada-China ties will create jobs, growth and
long-term prosperity in both countries, Minister says
VANCOUVER -The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of
International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific
Gateway, along with the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, British
Columbia's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure,
Larry Berg, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport
Authority, Liu Fei, Consul General of the People's Republic
of China in Vancouver, and Lan Xinguo, Chairman of Sichuan
Airlines, today celebrated Sichuan Airlines' inaugural
passenger flight from Chengdu, China to Vancouver
International Airport.
"Our government welcomes this new passenger service of
Sichuan Airlines to Canada, and we applaud their interest
in flying regularly to Vancouver which will make travel
more convenient for tourism travellers and business," said
Minister Fast. "The launch of this service is yet another
testament to the deepening Canada-China partnership - a
growing relationship that is benefiting people in both
countries."
This new passenger service is made possible by the current
Canada-China Air Transport Agreement. The Government of
Canada issued a Foreign Air Operator Certificate to Sichuan
Airlines on April 3, 2012. Offering three flights
weekly between Chengdu, China and Vancouver, the service
includes a stopover in the North Eastern Chinese city of
Shenyang.
"Underpinning the Canada-China partnership are strong
people-to-people ties," added Minister Fast. "As we
continue to deepen our trade and investment ties to create
jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for workers and
families in both countries, these crucial links are helping
us take our relationship to the next level."
More than 1.4 million Chinese-Canadians enrich every aspect
of our country, including in the arts, literature, science,
business, politics and philanthropy. China is also Canada's
largest source of international students with almost 57,000
Chinese students currently studying at Canadian
institutions.
Sichuan Airlines is headquartered at
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, in Chengdu,
the capital of China's Sichuan province. Located
strategically between Western and Eastern China, Chengdu is
one of the most important commercial centres in Western
China, home to 14 million people who will now be well
served by Canada's second busiest airport. Vancouver
International Airport served approximately 17 million
passengers in 2011 and handled more than 258,000 aircraft
landings and take-offs on its runways, connecting people
and businesses to more than 100 destinations domestically
and worldwide.
Sichuan Airlines recognizes Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway
as a vital portal between Canada and China. This new
service reflects the priorities of the partners in the
Asia-Pacific Gateway aimed at making it the best
transportation network between North America and Asia. To
date, the Government of Canada has partnered with all four
Western provinces, as well as with municipalities and the
private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure
projects worth over $3.5 billion, including federal
contributions of over $1.4 billion.
As a result of these strategic investments and
partnerships, Canadian exports to the Asia-Pacific region
have reached record levels. Fuelled by a 27 per cent boost
in Canadian exports to China, two-way merchandise trade was
$65 billion in 2011. And earlier this year, Prime
Minister Harper announced the conclusion of negotiations
toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection
Agreement with China. This historic agreement will assure
investor confidence through stable, transparent and
predictable investment and dispute resolution rules.
More information on Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway can be
found at www.pacificgateway.gc.ca
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Contacts:
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the
Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
This news release may be made available in alternative
formats for persons living with visual disabilities.
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