B.C. wood was in the spotlight today at the Sanlin Shanghai Affordable Housing Project, as Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson and forestry trade mission delegates toured two wood-frame buildings and signed a new memorandum of understanding.

In an important step toward a stronger working relationship between B.C. and China's Zhejiang province, both governments signed an agreement encouraging greater co-operation in wood-frame construction.

As part of Canada and B.C.'s effort to aid reconstruction following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, in Japan, plans were announced to build a support centre for children with disabilities.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson and delegates on the 2013 Forestry Asia Trade Mission had an action-packed first day in Japan.

Expanding and strengthening trading relationships abroad means real jobs here at home.