/EINPresswire.com/ -- BEIJING, CHINA--(Marketwired - Nov 4, 2016) - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today completed the first portion of his ten-day mission to China. Over 100 Canadian industry representatives from across Canada travelled with the Minister to Qingdao and Beijing.

Building on Prime Minister Trudeau's visit in September, this mission showcases Canada's agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood. The mission also highlights the importance of bilateral trade between Canada and China and will create new opportunities to help grow Canada's economy and middle class.

While in Qingdao and Beijing, Minister MacAulay met with key Chinese officials to discuss important issues of mutual interest, including market development opportunities, and hosted networking and business-to-business opportunities to promote Canadian agricultural, agri-food and seafood products.

Minister MacAulay will continue his mission tomorrow in Shanghai and other members of the delegation will also attend important business meetings and events in Guangzhou.

Quick facts

• China is Canada's second largest trading partner, after the United States.
• Over the past three years, bilateral agriculture and food trade has increased by 13% to reach $7.7 billion dollars.
• With a population of more than 1.4 billion people, China is one the fastest-growing economies in the world.
• Over 100 participants from across Canada are part of this mission including:
  • Agriculture ministers from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta.
  • Representatives from the seafood, livestock, pork, beef, grains, oilseeds, pulses, processed foods, beverages and horticultural sectors
• Over 120 Canadian exhibitors are participating in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao and in the Food and Hospitality China trade show in Shanghai.

Quote

"This trade mission is a great example of the Government of Canada's commitment to working with our global partners to expand market opportunities in China and around the world. We are not only creating tremendous trade opportunities for Canadian companies and exporters of agricultural products, we are creating jobs, strengthening the middle class and growing the Canadian economy."

• Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

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Additional links

Minister MacAulay Announces Trade Mission to China

Canada signs new agreements securing access for canola and beef

Prime Minister concludes successful first official visit to China

Minister MacAulay attends G20 Agricultural Ministers' Meeting in China

China - At a Glance

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BACKGROUNDER

Qingdao

• Launched online promotion of Canadian fresh food products on JD.com, China's second largest e-commerce platform. An agreement was renewed for global on-line sales, raising the profile of Canadian industry products available in China.
• Participated in a Canadian fish and seafood networking reception to encourage sales of Canadian fish and seafood to China, the world's largest importer of fishery products.
• Attended the opening of the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo and toured the Canada Pavilion to highlight Canada's strong presence at the exposition, helping to promote Canadian products and enhance market development opportunities.

Beijing

• Signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Administration of Grain (SAG) to strengthen the relationship between SAG and the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). The signing of this MOU was announced by Prime Minister Trudeau during a visit by Premier Li to Canada.
• Met with his counterpart Minister Han Changfu, from China's Ministry of Agriculture, to discuss cooperation in areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
• Met with Zhi Shuping, Minister of the General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) to discuss key agricultural trade issues, including implementation of the canola memorandum of understanding agreed upon in September 2016 and witnessed the signing of a cooperative arrangement between the Canadian Food Inspection agency (CFIA) and AQSIQ.
• Participated in a signing ceremony for Canada's animal genetics with Chinese partners.
• Met with the Beijing Hualian Group and COFCO Corporation to continue to encourage commercial sales and to confirm the opening of a COFCO office in Winnipeg.
• Participated in an Export-Café and cooking demonstration to promote Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, to encourage business-to-business meetings and to identify export opportunities to China.
• Participated in a maple syrup tasting event organized by Canadian Liquid Gold, to help promote this iconic food product from Canada.