n February 4, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Canada H.E. Wang Di visited Metro Vancouver and met with Mayor of Richmond Malcolm Brodie and President of the University of British Columbia Benoit-Antoine Bacon, and had a discussion with 15 member businesses of the British Columbia Chapter of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC). The Ambassador was accompanied by Chinese Consul General in Vancouver Yang Shu in the activities.

Ambassador Wang highlighted the profound traditional friendship and complementary economic structures and resource endowments between China and Canada. He noted that a healthy and stable China-Canada relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and will inject more stability and certainty into peace and development of the world. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership. China is ready to work with the Canadian side to deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as business and trade, people-to-people ties, and education on the basis of correct perception of each other, mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to push forward the relationship and make new progress.

Mayor Brodie of Richmond stressed that the Chinese community is an important part of Richmond’s multi-cultural community. They have made important contributions to the local economic and social development, and played a bridge role in promoting the exchanges and cooperation between Canada and China. The city of Richmond attaches great importance to its sister-city relationship with Xiamen and Qingdao, and is willing to deepen the people-to-people ties and education exchanges and cooperation between the two sides to help Canada-China relations make new progress.

UBC President Bacon highlighted that China is the largest source country for international students at UBC, and that UBC is willing to actively work with the Chinese side to further strengthen the exchange of students and faculty and academic and research cooperation. UBC is committed to providing a better learning environment for international students from China and other countries, and welcomes more Chinese students to come to study.

Representatives of CCBC British Columbia Chapter commented positively of China’s economy and foreign trade, and expressed their willingness to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and investment and trade cooperation in agriculture, energy, manufacturing and other fields with China, so as to bring real benefits to the people of the two countries.

Ambassador Wang also visited the crew of the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) Auckland ship docked at the Port of Vancouver. He extend New Year’s greetings to the crew and encouraged them to make greater contributions to China’s cause of building a strong maritime nation and promoting trade between China and Canada.