Canada committed to boosting exports to China by 50% in 2030: diplomat

Canada is committed to further deepening economic engagement with China "with the ambitious goal of increasing Canadian exports by 50 percent by 2030", said Mark Richardson, charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Canada to China.

The goal includes "creating opportunity, growth and shared prosperity for both our peoples", he said at a reception held at the Canadian embassy in Beijing on Thursday, to mark Canada Day, which is celebrated on July 1.

Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei attended the event and offered congratulations.

Around 450 representatives from government, diplomatic missions, the business community, cultural organizations and media gathered to celebrate Canada's 159th birthday, according to the embassy.

In reflecting on China-Canada relations over the past year, Richardson said, "Canada is a stable, reliable partner — a partner that builds and values relationships for the long term. That includes with China.

"To say this has been a significant year for Canada–China relations would be an understatement. In many ways, it has been a turning point," he said in reference to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China in January.

He noted that Canada has become a major exporter of energy to China, helping provide energy security at a time when global supplies are disrupted.

"And the first shipment of Chinese-made electric vehicles has arrived in Canada under a new quota that was agreed in January," he added.

Also, the diplomat said there's much more to our relationship than trade.

"Canada and China have committed to both expanding our bilateral dialogue across a wider range of bilateral international issues and meeting more regularly to discuss them," he said, adding that the bilateral cooperation extends still further to some of the most pressing global challenges, including deepening cooperation on the environment and climate change.

"Alongside our provincial partners, these are just some of the examples of productive engagement underway, which is revitalizing our ties, advancing cooperation and creating new momentum in this critical relationship," he said.