Statement made on 07 October 2010 by Senator Vivienne Poy
Hon. Vivienne Poy:
Honourable senators, on October 13, Canada and China will be celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As honourable senators know, Canada was among the first Western countries to formally recognize China in 1970. In 1973, Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the first Canadian prime minister to pay an official visit to China.
Throughout the month of October, numerous cultural, academic and commercial events are being held in Canada and China to mark this historically significant occasion. For the 1.3 million Canadians of Chinese heritage who act as bridges between Canada and China, this is an opportunity to celebrate our contributions to China's past and present. Canadians of Chinese heritage have become an integral part of our society, and Chinese is the third most widely spoken language in Canada.
As the honorary patron of the Ottawa Chinatown Gateway, I would like to inform honourable senators about an important event taking place this afternoon: the official unveiling of the Ottawa Gateway at the intersection of Somerset and Bronson Streets. Since Ottawa is twinned with Beijing, the gateway is a Northern Chinese Royal Arch consisting of nine roof sections, decorative tiling and glazed animal figures. This is the most striking addition to Ottawa's Chinatown in 80 years.
On October 13 and 14, two other important events will be taking place at the Chateau Laurier: an academic and diplomatic conference on Canada-China relations, and the second Canada-China Cultural Dialogue. Speakers will consist of our former ambassadors to China, government officials, policy-makers, business leaders and academics. I will also be in Ottawa to attend the conference.
Forty years ago, when Canada and China first established diplomatic relations, we could not have imagined the global importance of China today, or the number of Canadians of Chinese heritage now living in Canada, or the number of Canadians living in China. Our long-standing friendships and our large and growing Chinese Diaspora offer us a unique opportunity to deepen our cultural and trade relationship with one of the economic giants of the 21st century.