Chinese interest in wood-frame construction is being showcased through a new design centre in Hebei province featuring wood products and building systems, announced Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations at the opening ceremony.

The Langfang Home for Planners and Architects is a three-storey 2,500-square-metre hybrid (one floor of concrete and two floors of wood-frame construction) facility that will be used to host seminars for local architects and planners. The centre built by a Shanghai development company, is one of the outcomes of a 2009 Memorandum of Understanding signed between Hebei.

British Columbia and Hebei have been working together since 2009 to expand wood use in building construction. B.C. has assisted Hebei officials in developing wood-frame construction codes and with industry involvement, has shared building technology and expertise.

The home is built with Douglas-fir and western red cedar from Vancouver Island, and oriented strandboard from the Interior of B.C.

The announcement was made during Premier Christy Clark's current BC Jobs and Trade Mission to Asia - the largest trade mission in the Province's history to promote British Columbia as a safe harbour for investment. The BC Jobs and Trade Mission is focused on strengthening existing relationships between British Columbian and Asian markets, opening doors for new relationships and setting the stage for future opportunities in China and India.

Delegates from more than 130 companies and organizations are accompanying the Premier as part of the effort to defend and create jobs here at home. Health Minister Mike de Jong will also be accompanying the Premier during her time in India.

Japan and Hong Kong are also on the jobs and trade mission itinerary. Thomson will travel to Japan and Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell, ends his part of the mission in Hong Kong.

Quick Facts:

• Hebei has a population of 70 million people and a provincial GDP of over $240 billion per year - the sixth-largest in China.
• Since 2009, Hebei has actively promoted wood-frame construction as part of its commitment to lower carbon emissions and reduce the environmental impact of new building construction.
• In 2010, Hebei published two wood-frame construction codes based on Canadian standards.
• B.C. and the provincial forest sector operate a joint market development program in China through the Canada Wood Group and Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Province's market development agency for forest products.

Learn More:

Photos from the 2011 BC Jobs and Trade Mission to Asia:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157628037722670/

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261