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VANCOUVER - B.C. and other Canadian exports are finding new markets for their products in China through the new China South Airlines (CSA) cargo service from Vancouver International Airport to Shanghai.

CSA chose Vancouver because of the great export potential through Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and already have steady business.

Since July 2011, CSA has been moving B.C. seafood and heavy equipment from across Canada four times at week. The new service will create the equivalent of about 40 full-time jobs in the airline industry and other indirect jobs in Canada's export industries.

Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture Don McRae met today with B.C. seafood exporters, who are reaching new customers through CSA at Vancouver International Airport.

This service is a major boost to Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway's air corridor providing a vital service for high value and time sensitive Canadian goods that are in great demand in Asian markets. The Asia-Pacific Gateway air corridor's advantages are also increased by the elimination of B.C.'s aviation fuel tax, and the Government of Canada's low-tax policies. These are further examples of how federal and provincial governments are working together to attract jobs and economic growth which benefit B.C. and Canadian businesses, workers and their families.

Government and industry partners have committed $22 billion to expand and enhance port, rail, road and airport infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific Gateway and that investment is paying off in attracting international businesses like CSA.

Quick Facts:

• China Southern's new service is the first dedicated cargo service from Canada to Mainland China. The city of Shanghai is the largest seafood market in China.
• This new service is an important step towards meeting the Pacific Gateway cargo goal of 441,000 tonnes of air cargo (up from 228,000 tonnes in 2010) and an excellent opportunity to build on an already positive relationship with CSA following on the success of the June 15 passenger event.
• CSA is the world's third-largest airline in terms of passengers carried, and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried.
• A new China Southern Airlines passenger service was celebrated at an event on June 15, 2011 at YVR.
• CSA operates Canada's only direct cargo service from Vancouver to Mainland China.
• B.C. exported $80 million of seafood to China in 2010, an increase from $68 million in 2009. Total seafood exports to Asia exceeded $313 million in 2010.
• Top seafood exports to China in 2010 were crabs, geoduck, hake and herring.
• B.C. seafood is featured in more than two billion meals worldwide per year and exported to more than 60 countries.

Media Contacts:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241
250 356-2950 (Fax)

Media Relations
Transport Canada
Ottawa
613 993-0055

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
Vancouver Airport Authority
604 880-9815
media_relations@yvr.ca