Chengdu Panda Encounters Through Judy's Eyes

Author: Judy Perpose

The pandas in Chengdu are a sight that can't be missed! My hometown of Toronto has experienced the joys that these animals can bring to a community firsthand when China sent 2 pandas to the Toronto Zoo. The many people we met while on the Trade Mission urged us to go and see the pandas in Chengdu and I'm extremely glad that we had the opportunity to do so with our CYA (Chinese Youth Ambassadors) friends.

I was happy to learn that moving forward, the Chinese government hopes to supply bamboo to our two friendly pandas in Canada (that have now moved to Calgary!). It goes to show the love and care that the Chengdu community has for these beautiful creatures, no matter where in the world they may be! 

A Glimpse Into Arnav's JTC China Experience

Author: Arnav Jain

Photograph captured by Arnav, while exploring China.

Select JTC Ambassadors gathered for a photo during their time in Hong Kong.

Junior Team Canada’s 2018 Mission to China was by far the best experience of my life! Being from Calgary, Alberta, I represented the province’s second largest industry - agriculture. I had the wonderful opportunity to share knowledge about Canada’s vast agriculture industry with Chinese companies and government leaders. Seeing that Canada would like to expand its presence in China, especially through agriculture as both countries are heavily involved in this field, I was honoured to speak with large institutions to build a path to a potential partnership between the two countries' industries.

The JTC team also visited several Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies that are experimenting and creating unique products such as screenless TV’s, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and robots for road sensing technology along with many other innovations in their respective fields.

Arnav Jain (right) photographed with Houston Wong (left), Trade Commissioner of Agriculture and Agri-Food, at the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong.

In my opinion, one of most impactful aspects of the trade mission was meeting and living with Canada’s top youth - amazing students with profound mindsets who are ready to tackle global problems. Our Canadian team met with Chinese youth who are also aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders in their own fields to bring global youth communities and cultures together. We toured around Xi’an and Chengdu with the Chinese students and had an absolute blast! A mission to be remembered. 

Sam Takes Us to Dinner with the Chairman

Author: Sam Yacob

A small group of us had the opportunity to have dinner with Mr. Stanley Ho, President and Chairman of the LH Group. Our delegation met Stanley at the 5th Annual Sino-Canada Forum held at the Ritz Carleton in Chengdu.

After the event, he graciously invited five of us to have dinner at a Hot Pot restaurant. The LH Group is looking to develop tourism focused real estate in Canada, making this was a very important meeting.

Our delegation arrived early at the restaurant. Upon arrival, we struggled to communicate with the staff. We tried to use symbols at first but had to settle for Google Translate. Eventually, Stanley arrived, to our great relief. He ordered drinks, and some spicy Hot Pot, and we proceeded with dinner. The food was Sichuan style - very spicy (maybe a bit too spicy).

After dinner, we went out for ice cream at the IFS Mall and took a walk along the famous Hongxing Road.

This meeting was fruitful as it gave our tourism partners an important contact. It was also educational. I assumed that our meeting would take place in an office where we would present, discuss and then go home. Instead, we shared Hot Pot - we didn't even only talk about business.

As a FutureLink member would later tell me:

“Language is not the only barrier to trade. one cannot forget culture.”

— Member, FutureLink