On September 28, Ambassador Cong Peiwu attended the "Cross-Canada" seminar of Canada China Business Council (CCBC) on China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and delivered closing remarks. The full text of the remarks is as follows:

Ambassador Dominic Barton，

President Graham Shantz,

Friends from the business community,

It is a great pleasure to participate again in the “Cross Canada” Seminar on China’s 14th Five-Year Plan hosted by CCBC. I would like to take this opportunity to make an introduction to the development of China, and share with you my views on China-Canada cooperation in “past tense”, “present tense” as well as “future tense”.

First of all, it is necessary to use the “telescope for history” to look back, and review the landmarks in China’s development. One hundred years ago, the Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded. Over the past century, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people to achieve many brilliant achievements, hence the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. Seventy-two years ago, the People’s Republic of China was founded. Over the past 72 years, China has achieved the historic leap from a country with relatively backward productive forces, to the world’s second largest economy. Forty-three years ago, China started the historic process of reform and opening-up. Since then, China has been sharing more of its development dividends with the rest of the world, while making great strides in its economic development. Also founded 43 years ago, CCBC has witnessed and shared the opportunities of China’s development.

Secondly, it is important to take a closer look at the fruitful results of China-Canada cooperation through the “microscope for the times”. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, both sides have witnessed substantial development in bilateral relations, rapidly expanding trade, booming two-way investment, and deepened converging economic and trade interests. In 2020, the trade between China and Canada continue to increase against heavy odds, overcoming the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast to an 11.8% year-on-year drop of Canadian goods exports, Canadian exports to China rose by 8.1% in 2020. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade increased by 19.9% year-on-year, of which Canada’s imports from China grew by 18.7%, whereas Canadian exports to China increased by 23.2%. This fully illustrates that China-Canada economic and trade cooperation featured by complementary strengths continues to go closer and deeper.

Thirdly, it is also important to apply the “magnifying glass for future” to discover more opportunities of cooperation between China and Canada. Currently, China’s economy continues to recover steadily and unleash its potential for cooperation. I agree with CCBC’s views in its recent report on China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP), which highlights that during the 14th FYP, China will provide the Canadian business community with broad market opportunities and greater possibilities for deepening practical cooperation. I encourage the Canadian business circle to actively participate in the field of green development represented by low-carbon industries, modern agriculture, environmental protection and energy-saving industries, as well as the building of modern industrial system represented by the digital economy, new energy vehicles and biotechnology. Additionally, I hope that the Canadian business community will focus on the new cooperation possibilities created by China’s further expanding and opening-up in the areas of finance, manufacturing, medicine, education as well as the development of free trade ports.

I also would like to emphasize that China has been standing for mutual respect and mutual benefit, which is also the basic principle for developing the economic and trade relations between our two countries.

Last but not least, I thank President Shantz for inviting me to give closing remarks at this seminar, and would like to express my gratitude to CCBC for having served as a bridge and bond in promoting the economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada. I am looking forward to continuing to communicate and exchange ideas with friends from the Canadian business community.