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News Release - Manitoba

September 20, 2010

Selinger and Lee Wrap Up Successful Trade Mission to China



Premier Greg Selinger, Lt. Gov. Philip Lee and a delegation of Manitoba business leaders and academics have concluded what Selinger said today was an extremely successful trade mission to China.
 
It is the first such mission in the province’s history to be co-led by the premier and the lieutenant‑governor.  The week-long trip included stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.  It involved more than 60 meetings with government, business and educational leaders.
 
“There is a great deal of curiosity in China about Manitoba,” Selinger said.  “This is a vast market for Manitoba.  We made it clear, whether it’s immigration, investment, business or tourism, the door to Manitoba is wide open.”
 
Over a period of seven days in China, Selinger:
·         met with senior Chinese government officials in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing;
·         launched an immigration pilot project in co-operation with the federal government that, at the outset, will bring 40 families to Manitoba;
·         met with Winnipeg-based IMRIS, provider of image-guided medical therapy solutions, and representatives of the Peking Union Hospital;
·         met with Canadian environmental consultant and entrepreneur Maurice Strong;
·         attended a Canadian Wheat Board reception celebrating 50 years of wheat and barley sales to China;
·         met with Chinese investors interested in CentrePort;
·         attended two luncheons promoting Manitoba as a tourist destination to Chinese tour operators;
·         witnessed an historic memorandum of understanding to establish the China-Canada Research Centre for stored grain ecosystems;
·         toured a major Chinese heavy-equipment manufacturing facility and witnessed a strategic partnership that will allow Winnipeg-based Vansco’s sales in China to reach $5 million in 2010;
·         attended Expo 2010 in Shanghai and met with Canadian commissioner general for Expo 2010 Mark Rowswell at the Canada pavilion; 
·         along with Lee, laid a wreath at Hong Kong’s Sai Wan Cemetery with to pay respect to fallen Second World War Canadian soldiers;
·         attended a University of Manitoba alumni event in Hong Kong; and
·         met with Chinese businessman Li Ka-shing with Lee in Hong Kong.
 
“This was a remarkable opportunity to show China what Canada has to offer,” Lee said.  “It is my expectation this trip will go a long way to furthering relations and business ties between us.”
 
Close to 40 individuals representing almost 30 companies and organizations joined the premier and the lieutenant-governor on the mission. Selinger now travels to the Philippines for two days.
 
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