Consul General in Vancouver Liu Fei

Liu Fei has witnessed many changes between China and Canada in her four years as China’s consul general in Vancouver.

“2015 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between the two countries, and the 20th anniversary of the sister-province relationship between Guangdong and BC,” Liu said. “I have to say the relationship between the two countries has grown the most in recent years.”

Along with a delegation of 200 business and community members, Liu accompanied British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Teresa Wat, minister of international trade, and minister responsible for the Asia Pacific strategy and multiculturalism, to China for the 2015 BC China Trade Mission trip last month.

Forty-five events and signings took place on the eight-day trade mission, with the main focus on a cleaner and greener economy.

“I witnessed 12 of the signings in the sectors of culture, economy and travel,” said Liu, who said she was delighted to see Poly Culture Group, China’s largest art and cultural company, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish its North American head office in Vancouver.

“Not only will Poly Culture’s expansion into North America create jobs for British Columbians, it will bring added richness to our province’s multicultural arts scene,” Clark said in an interview about her trip.

“The fact that Poly Culture Group has chosen Vancouver shows confidence that our province, which has the second-largest Chinese- Canadian community in Canada, is perfectly situated as a strategic base to promote Chinese cultural industry in North America.”

During the trade mission to China, Liu and Clark also visited the mayor of ZhangJiakou in Hebei to discuss the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, and more cooperation can be expected between both countries. Liu said China welcomes more Canadian experts to Beijing to share their experiences of organizing a major international sporting event.

“Vancouver Film School has also signed partnership agreements with the Beijing Film Academy and the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts to work on movies together,” said Liu. “It is a joy to see cultures and ideas are exchanged between the two countries.” Vancouver Film School is a world-recognized entertainment arts school located in downtown Vancouver.

Liu told China Daily how education also plays a big role in relations between the two countries.

“There’s a growing number of Chinese students studying in Canada these recent years,” Liu said. “Canada is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students, because it has a great environment for education.”

“We also welcome more Canadian students to study in China,” Liu said. “Since 2015, we’ve given out 15 scholarships every year."