British Columbia is working with the Chinese government to promote cultural exchange with China as part of the 2015-16 China-Canada Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges.

Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat met with China’s Vice Minister of Culture Ding Wei on April 14, 2015, to build the relationship.

Wat used the meeting with the high profile Chinese official to propel cultural exchange opportunities and highlight the work the British Columbia government is doing to create a legacy to honour the apology for historical wrongs committed against British Columbia’s Chinese-Canadian community.

Wat also encouraged China’s co-operation on the potential partnership between the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark (TRGG) with the Yanqing Geopark in China, which lies north of Beijing and includes a section of the Great Wall.

The Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as part of his third trade mission to China in November 2014.

Cultural exchange and co-operation plays a key role in enhancing mutual understanding between people and in promoting the value of B.C.’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China. The meeting with Vice Minister Wei and his delegation provided an opportunity to enhance cross-cultural activities which is often a building block for later trade and investment.

British Columbia is home to the second-largest Chinese community in Canada. More than 460,000 British Columbians, 11% of B.C.’s population, identify as being Chinese, and China was the top source country for immigrants settling in British Columbia in 2013, with 8,600 immigrants.

Many of the Chinese immigrants came from mainland China in the last decade, and understand the business and government culture in China. These connections can help strengthen our trade relationships, attract new investment, and create and protect jobs for British Columbians.

Media Contacts:

Media relations
Ministry of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-7293