Junior Team Canada in Chengdu: August 2nd-6th

After a successful three days in Beijing, Junior Team Canada arrived in Chengdu on Saturday, August 2nd for the second leg of their fifteen-day trade mission to China. On their first day, the team investigated the cultural hub in the wide-narrow streets taking in local dishes, music and art. That night, the team was hosted for a reception by the Chengdu-Canada Business Trade and Investment Council. David Perdue, Canada's newly appointed Consular-General for the Sichuan province, addressed the group of youth leaders present from both countries. Mr. Perdue emphasized the importance of building on the longstanding ties between South-Western China and Canada, commenting that "through initiatives such as this, a new generation of Canadian and Chinese leaders will continue to create prosperity and social development for the people of both our countries. But we can only do that together". Many promising business relationships were initiated at the reception and delegates from each country committed to deepening bilateral commercial and people-to-people ties.

On their second day, JTC was briefed by Mr. Purdue on the trade, investment and social climate in the two major city-centres located in Sichuan province: Chongqing and Chengdu.     Peter Liao, Canada's Trade Commissioner for Education, S&T, Innovation and Life Sciences also gave the delegates an in-depth presentation on the the state of student recruitment and research collaboration by Canadian universities in Sichuan province and told the team that they "have a very important role to play in its future success". JTC felt especially grateful for this briefing, as it was Mr. Perdue's first official day in his capacity as Consular-General. He and Mr. Liao were made honorary members of Junior Team Canada and were presented with a famous JTC "Made in Canada" red t-shirt.

Throughout the remainder of their time in Chengdu the young Canadian leaders will visit a sustainable farming project, a law firm, a commercial real estate company and a local charitable organization among their individual sponsor-driven meetings. The team will cap off their time in Chengdu with a visit to the famous Panda Bear Conservation Park before heading to Guangzhou for the next leg of the mission.