Today, I am in Beijing, joining Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s mission to China.

The mission is an important initiative in further solidifying our trading relationship with China. Demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the Chinese market at the highest levels opens doors to Canadian businesses and builds on our reputation for reliability.

Prime Minister Harper met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today, and as part of the industry delegation I was honoured to attend the meeting. The photo here is taken inside the Great Hall of the People in advance of the meeting.

The delegation also met today with China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban - Rural Development (MOHURD). Our positive relationship with MOHURD has been key to our success in the China market. MORHUD’s mandate involves addressing the immense housing needs of the country’s population, and we’ve had an enormously productive relationship with MOHURD and forged common viewpoints on the environmental merits of wood use in meeting China’s housing needs.

Tomorrow, we will tour the Canada-China Green Building Design Centre in Langfang and participate in an industry roundtable with the Prime Minister.

Hou Hui You Qi,

 Don Kayne